Per diems re-implemented in council

Times Reporter        

 

Discussion about remunerations was brought to council at the May 21 meeting and had the Mayor stating his disdain at the proposal. 

The remunerations policy has not been amended since 2011.

“The only item that we are looking at is including a per diem, but only for certain events, rather than all meetings et cetera. We’re looking at a maximum of four days to attend FCM and/or AUMA and a maximum of four days to attend spring/fall workshops,” said Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Linda Nelson. 

“This is basically to reimburse councillors who are out of money through their normal jobs when they have to miss a day and miss that pay.”

By adding the per diems it will make it more affordable and will encourage councillors to attend these critical meetings. Councillor Pat Fule mentioned his support of the per diems, stating it can be difficult to lose work and money from his full-time job to attend some of the meetings.

“This isn’t like any kind of a perk, it essentially allows some of us to attend without being penalized financially or time wise and not being able to do it,” said Fule. 

Councillor Bob Sobol also spoke in favour of having them brought in for those specific meetings. He said the only real alternative to per diems would be to have day time meetings, but future potential councillors may question joining council at that point.  

“I have never thought it fair to actually have a councillor lose money, have it cost him or her money, to go to a meeting,” said Sobol. 

If council attended all of the meetings, four days for each of the conferences and the fall and spring workshops, it would be $1,600 per councillor per year. 

“We did a survey of 16 municipalities, and out of those 16, 13 do pay per diems,” said Nelson. 

“I do not support the motion to increase council’s salary and implementing a per diem is a salary increase,” said Mayor Michael Ell. 

The Municipal Government Act allows councils to set their own remuneration, something Ell thinks should be considered by the community. 

He suggests having an independent body review the remunerations and have them report their recommendations to the citizens of Strathmore. Ell stated he would vote in favour, if an independent committee suggested a pay raise, but only if it came in effect in three years, after the next election. 

“All members of council’s salary is one third tax-free, this tax-free benefit increases the value of the salary significantly. The tax-free benefit is to be used to assist municipally elected officials attend to their duties where expenses may not be recoverable,” said Ell. 

Ell said it has been noted that some councillors are reluctant to attend meetings because of the loss of salary from their full-time jobs, and he respects that but, “We all knew the requirements of the position before we were sworn in as members of council, we all accepted some type of personal restructuring of our life when we accepted this responsibility,” said Ell.

“We must keep in mind members of council are paid every month to carry out our duties, which includes conferences and training. Councillors should attend training, and conferences to improve their knowledge on governance and to keep current on changes in procedures and the laws.” 

The citizens of Strathmore benefit when members of councils attend those and, said Ell, members of council have expense accounts should expenses need to be covered so a council member can attend a conference or workshop.

“It is my recommendation a committee review our remuneration. As part of a remuneration review by the committee I would encourage consideration of a salary claw-back when a councillor fails to attend committee meetings or council meetings without a valid reason and have an authorized absence, I ask members of council to vote down this motion,” said Ell. 

Fule said he would hate to see council go down the road where they are penalized for not attending AUMA or FCM. For him it is not just a matter of having to pay a substitute teacher, but he would also lose a day of pensionable salary. Then it becomes incredibly financially punitive to him.

Councillor Denise Peterson opposes any movement for council to vote in their own increases, but said this is not the case. It was adequately pointed out and confirmed that there is a budget and a limit on what councillors can spend, and council has approved that amount. 

“It is already there, so I don’t think this can in any way be conceived as something over and above what already exists. In terms of if councillors should or should not attend councils or workshops, I think our public will be in the best position to determine how well we serve that public,” said Peterson. 

She further stated that she doesn’t think there needs to be a salary-claw back for councillors who can’t attend the conferences. 

“I don’t think that options including a salary claw-back for councillors who now need a doctors note to not attend town policy meeting, I think when I look at the dedication I see around this table from the councillors that exist here it’s extraordinary as it is,” said Peterson. 

She shares committees with some of the councillors and said meeting attendance has never been a problem. Peterson said it is insulting to the community and council to think that it is and said she thinks that’s why there are democratic elections.

Fule had made a motion to approve the recommended action as presented regarding policy number 18-06. Both Ell and Councillor Brad Walls were opposed to the motion.