For the first time in almost a decade, it’s almost certain the new Mayor and members of District of Summerland Council will be getting a pay raise following next month’s municipal election.
Whoever wins the race to become the next Mayor between incumbent Councillors Toni Boot and Janet Peakes is in for a healthy wage increase.
The proposed 22% pay increase would put the Mayor’s remuneration much more in line with what other Mayors in similar-sized communities across British Columbia and it will be the first significant wage increase for Mayor and Council in a decade.
In a staff report prepared in advance of Monday’s regular meeting of Summerland Council, it’s recommended the Mayor’s salary be increased to $36,000, effective Jan. 1 of 2019.
This is the equivalent to the average salary paid to Mayors in 21 comparable communities across B.C., says the report.
It’s also recommended that compensation for Councillors be set at 45% of the Mayor’s salary or $16,200 annually.
The report also suggests compensation for the Mayor and Council be increased each year to reflect any change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Expenses reimbursement for travel outside the District of Summerland be the equivalent to that of staff, including per diem rates and staff be directed to review the current policy for such rates for Council’s consideration, says the report.
The bylaw relating to remuneration for Mayor and Council was adopted in 2007 and that bylaw set the Mayor’s remuneration for three years. In 2009, the Mayor’s salary was increased to $26,000 and $11,500 for Councillors.
The bylaw called for an increase equivalent to the CPI each year and that compensation levels be reviewed every five years.
Elected officials in Summerland discussed the issue in the past few years, however, Council did not pass any motion to increase remuneration, therefore, no increases have been made to the base compensation other than CPI since 2009, said the report.
In 2017, Council directed staff to form a Council Remuneration Committee to review compensation and bring a recommendation forward for consideration prior to the 2018 municipal election.
“It is generally preferred that an outgoing Council make determinations on compensation for an incoming Council,” said the staff report. “Unfortunately, limited staff capacity and emergency events led to a delay in the formation of a committee and the initial meeting was held in August.”
The committee considers of two residents, Human Resources manager Marnie Manders and chief administrative officer Linda Tynan.
The committee looked at a number of factors such as population, tax revenue, total expenses, geographical location and municipality size and ended up looking at what Mayor and Council in 21 B.C. municipalities were paid.
“It is evident that the District of Summerland has fallen behind in remuneration of elected officials,” said the report. “After compiling the data, it was found that the District of Summerland currently compensates its Mayor at 83% of the average of the comparison municipalities (Council at 82%).”
The range between what the Mayor is paid and members of Council ranges from 34 to 75%, with the average being 45%, said the report.
“It is the committee’s recommendation that the District of Summerland provide base compensation for the Mayor at $36,000 for 2019,” said the report. “This is representative with the current ratio in Summerland and is representative of the average. This equates to $16,200 (for Councillors) for 2019.”
While the wage increase may appear significant, it’s clear that Summerland has fallen significantly behind compared to municipalities of similar size, operations, revenue, expenses and location, said the report.
The wage increases for Mayor and Council are just over 22%, but are much more representative of what these positions are paid in other B.C. communities of similar size, says the report.
“The committee recognizes that it is imperative to have fair compensation for people who run for office and that remuneration must be fair and compensate appropriately for the time commitment required in serving the community.,” said the report.
The matter will be discussed by outgoing Mayor Peter Waterman and members of Summerland Council Monday evening.
To view Monday's council agendas, click here.
