COUNCIL REMUNERATION STAFF REPORT

TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL COUNCIL REPORT

TO: Council DATE: July 16, 2026 FROM: Scott Sommerville, CAO MEETING DATE: July 21, 2026

COUNCIL REMUNERATION

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT Council remunerations be adjusted to the median of comparators, establishing the Mayor’s remuneration at $56,128 per year (up from $51,982, an increase of $4,146 or 7.975% per year) and Councillors’ remuneration be established at 50% of the Mayor’s remuneration at $28,064, (up from $25,991, an increase of $2,073 or 7.975% per year), plus an adjustment to both rates based on the change in Victoria CPI for 2026;

AND THAT both rates become effective January 1, 2027.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:

1. THAT Council remunerations be adjusted to the 75th percentile of comparators, establishing the Mayor’s remuneration at $64,493 per annum (up from $51,982, an increase of $12,511 or 24.07%) and Councillors’ remuneration be adjusted to the 75th percentile of $30,821 per annum (up from $25,991, an increase of $4,830 or 18.58%); plus an adjustment to both rates based on the change in Victoria CPI for 2026 and that both rates become effective January 1, 2027.
2. THAT current Council remunerations continue to be adjusted annually by the amount of percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for Victoria, with no adjustment to the base amount of remuneration.
3. THAT Council establish a different adjustment be made to Council remuneration effective January 1, 2027.

PURPOSE OF REPORT:

To establish an adjustment to Council remuneration as per Policy #0500-036.

TIME CRITICAL:

It is advisable to adjust Council remuneration prior to an election rather than afterwards.

BACKGROUND:

The Town of View Royal Policy #0500-036 states that “Every four years, prior to the election, a market survey will be conducted to establish the level of remuneration for the newly elected in-coming Council”. “Any changes to the level of remuneration for Council members will be effective January 1 following the election.”

Each year (excluding the year following the election), Council remuneration is adjusted by the amount of percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for Victoria, published by Statistics Canada for the preceding twelve (12) month period ending in December. Council remuneration was last reviewed August 25, 2022, with adjustments made effective January 1, 2023.

PROJECT INFORMATION:

Staff engaged Jo MacDonald HR Consulting Services to complete the survey and make recommendations. The survey was conducted using the following comparator municipalities (see table below). Saanich and Victoria were removed from the comparator municipalities due to their larger populations.

The survey report is attached. The survey information describes remuneration details for municipalities in our region for 2026. The intention is to establish new rates effective January 1, 2027.

The survey shows:

The consultant recommends that the remuneration for the Mayor be established at the median ($56,128) or the 75th percentile ($64,493) of the surveyed municipality responses. The consultant also recommends that the remuneration be adjusted by the change in Victoria CPI for 2026 to establish the appropriate rate for 2027.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:

An increase to the median with councillor’s receiving 50% of the Mayor’s remuneration would have the following financial implications:

The difference would be $16,584 per year (not including annual CPI adjustment).

An increase to the 75th percentile for all would have the following financial implications:

The difference would be $41,491 per year (not including annual CPI adjustment).

SUBMITTED BY:

S. Sommerville, Chief Administrative Officer