STAFF REPORT: COUNCIL REMUNERATION

COUNCIL REMUNERATION

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT Council remunerations be adjusted establishing the Mayor’s remuneration at $25,530.00 per annum and Councillors’ remuneration at $12,240.00 both effective January 1, 2015.

AND THAT the Council Remuneration Policy 0500-036 be approved.

PURPOSE OF REPORT:

To establish an adjustment for Council remuneration.

TIME CRITICAL:

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

BACKGROUND:

Council remuneration was last reviewed in October 2011. At that time, a draft policy was discussed, which stated that a survey of Council remuneration of nearby municipalities be done every three years just prior to an election.

PROJECT INFORMATION:

A survey of Council remuneration has been completed for 2014 (Attachment A). Please be advised the City of Victoria and District of Saanich have not been included in determining averages due to the difference in population; the numbers are included for reference only.

The survey shows the average remuneration for the Mayor is $25,529.97 and the average for Councillors is $12,238.45. Based on the survey averages and increases in Consumer Price Index (CPI) an adjustment would be appropriate.

Staff have finalized the remuneration policy (Attachment B) for Council’s approval, which includes the requirement for a survey to be completed every four years prior to an election as well as annual adjustments by the percentage change in the CPI for Victoria. It should be noted that management salaries are also adjusted annually by the percentage change in CPI for Victoria.

ALTERNATIVE TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION:

THAT no adjustment be made to Council remuneration at this time.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION: