Banff politicians have approved a compensation package for mayor and council that comes into effect after the October municipal election based on advice from an independent citizen committee.
Committee member David Bayne said a fair remuneration package aims to create a healthy and vigorous competition for the offices of mayor and council and, perhaps more importantly, a very public debate around the issues of the day.
He said he believes this was achieved in the 2013 election, noting the public committee was formed to look at council salaries after the mayor was acclaimed in the two previous elections.
“That was an alarming fact,” said Bayne. “This whole procedure was put in place to create an interest in serving.”
Banff’s council remuneration policy sets out the compensation and benefits of elected officials, attempting to strike a balance between the work that is required of a public official and the call to serve the community.
The policy, approved in 2013, stipulates that a comprehensive remuneration review would take place every election year prior to the election, and that the review will be conducted through a committee comprised of Banff residents.
With the most recent review, the mayor’s base salary will go from $79,953 to $80,540 for 2018 based on a market increase, with one-third of that non-taxable. For council, the salary would rise from $26,478 to $26,900.
However, in 2019, the mayor’s pay would increase from $80,540 to $93,426 and councillors’ from $26,900 to $30,185, plus the average market increased approved for all Town of Banff employees in the annual budget. Based on new federal government tax rules, the salary of mayor and council will be fully taxable from 2019 onwards.
Pier diem rates will also be adjusted in December 2018. The rate jumps from $90 to $105 for four hours or less, and from $180 to $210 for more than four hours, fully taxable. The mayor, considered a full-time position, is not eligible to claim per diems.
In addition, council is now eligible for a retirement benefit during the dates of its term. It’s expected to result in about a $12,000 to $14,000 increase in funding required for total compensation for council members.
Mayor Karen Sorensen said she appreciated and accepted the work of the three-member public committee, noting it is difficult for local politicians to vote themselves a pay raise.
“This decision will come into effect after the next election,” she said.
The remuneration committee was made up of Bayne, Connie MaCdonald and Brian Smythe.
