City council turned down an opportunity to increase its own salaries, choosing instead to defer a decision until the city wraps up labour talks with employees.
The city’s remuneration policy for council calls for a pay comparison in even-numbered years while implementing changes in odd-numbered years. The policy aims to keep salaries at the 60th percentile compared to a group of five other mid-sized Alberta municipalities.
Adhering to that policy in 2011 would see the mayor’s salary increase 8.75 per cent to $92,155 annually while salaries for part-time councillors would rise 4.84 per cent to $30,991.
But council backed away from that potential controversy on Tuesday, deciding instead to gather more information and citizen input.
“I just have a bit of a concern that we would go with an increase while trying at the same time to demonstrate fiscal responsibility,” said Coun. Malcolm Parker, who initially pushed for the delay.
The city is currently in talks with three unions for labour contracts that expired at the end of 2010. These negotiations sometimes take up to a year to settle, said city manager Bill Holtby. Meanwhile, council has charged Holtby with forming recommendations on a potential 2011 pay hike for non-unionized staff.
In compiling his information, due to council in February, Holtby will consider a 2010 report suggesting some city employees are overpaid and the fact that cost-of-living increases in Alberta’s municipal sector are currently running at two per cent, he said.
The city will also form a citizen review panel to look at the council remuneration policy that’s been in effect since 2005. Administration is due to provide council with terms of reference for the panel by April 30.
The city sets its council salary levels by comparing with Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Wood Buffalo, Grande Prairie and Red Deer.
Citing a study of pay levels of 20 other Alberta municipalities, Coun. Cam MacKay argued that he and his colleagues make $4,000 a year less than the average.
MacKay is currently looking for part-time work to supplement his job as a part-time councillor. He said it’s difficult to find a job that offers the flexibility that a councillor’s schedule requires.
“There’s actually a lot more work there than I initially figured there would be for a part-time job,” he said.
“I’m certainly willing to give up something for my community, that’s why I ran, but by the same token you have to pay rent and pay your bills.”
He’s hoping to hear residents’ thoughts on the issue.
Neglecting to increase salaries for a number of years is a dangerous road to travel, argued Coun. Roger Lemieux.
“Be careful where you go because all of a sudden you have a 10 or 15 per cent increase,” he said.
Mayor Nolan Crouse suggested that setting pay levels was a delicate balancing act.
“We have to understand the times that we’re in,” he said. “We also have to make sure that we don’t short-change the people doing their jobs. Councillors have a job to do and they’re not going to be underpaid doing it. And they shouldn’t be.”
