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More details on County of Barrhead council compensation

Dear Editor, In response to the Barrhead Leader’s comment section of May 2, 2017, the council of the County of Barrhead felt we must reply. While asking the question of how the compensation for council is determined is fair.

Dear Editor,

In response to the Barrhead Leader’s comment section of May 2, 2017, the council of the County of Barrhead felt we must reply. While asking the question of how the compensation for council is determined is fair. The processes undertaken by council and other municipalities across Alberta could warrant another response. However, for now because this is an election year, prospective candidates and the taxpayers should receive the correct information on compensation as it is now. So, let me set the record straight.

Monthly Salary: County councillor’s are paid a base monthly salary of $880.45. This is for time spent preparing for meetings which includes reviewing agenda packages and reports, attending public events in an informal capacity, meeting with residents with concerns either in person or over the phone, partial reimbursement for cell phone, Internet, fax etc. Any increase to council’s salary aligns with staff increases, which are based on the provincial cost of living adjustment and comparisons to other similar municipalities.

Per Diems: Councillor’s are paid a per diem for attending regular meetings of council. When a councillor is appointed to a committee, board or commission authorized by council they are also paid a per diem for attendance — 2017’s per diem is set at $238.85 or $119.43 for half day (four hours or less). Some examples of boards or committees include the Agricultural Service Board, Barrhead &District Social Housing, Barrhead Regional Water Commission and Barrhead Library Board. Most committees meet for less than four hours. Regular council meetings normally go all day, but it is not uncommon to go less than four hours. Councillors also are paid a per diem for attending the AAMDC convention two and one half days in the spring and three and one half in the fall. Councillors also attend quarterly meetings of the AAMDC Zone 3 in Edmonton. Councillors are also encouraged to take Elected Official Education Program courses and are compensated accordingly. Important to note that many of these courses are available online which reduces expenses. This year county council decided not to attend the annual Federation of Canadian Municipalities because of financial constraints. The per diems that are set for councillors also apply to public members at large that are appointed to council committees.

Expenses: Councillors are compensated for mileage, meals, and hotels only when attending a meeting or attending a convention out of town. Mileage and meals are at the provincial government standard of $0.54 per km, and meals at $15, $20 and $25. All conventions and most meetings have meals included. Councillors may charge mileage to attend meetings in town, and that is subject to income tax. Just to point out that we often group our meetings on the same day to save on expenses.

It is also worthy to note that effective January 2019, the one-third tax-exempt status for Elected Officials compensation will be gone. That is for all elected officials at all levels of government Canada wide.

Benefits: Should councillors choose they might join the same benefit package as county employees. This is only in effect while holding office. And yes, we are covered by Workers Compensation and pay into death and disability insurance. E.I. is also deducted from our pay but it is unlikely we would ever collect. There is no pension for Councillors, individuals may contribute to their own RRSPs as they see fit.

Work load: In preparing the 2017 budget, staff analyzed the total number of days councillors worked in 2016 and budgeted for councillors being compensated for 84 days a year in an official capacity. Because of the additional workload, the deputy reeve was budgeted for 108 days and the reeve at 132 days. In a regular work month of twenty days, a councillor would average seven days and the reeve would average eleven days. As with most budgets this is subject to change and is dependent on the activity in the county and the level of engagement with the Town of Barrhead and the province.

In conclusion, individual councillor compensation is reported in our Annual report and our audited financial statements. As well at our annual open house, residents are encouraged to ask any question they choose.

My hope is that this brings clarity as to how councillors are compensated. Please feel free to talk to councillors on this or any other concern.

Doug Drozd, reeve

County of Barrhead

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