The salaries and benefits of Banff’s politicians and town manager have been disclosed in the Town of Banff’s recently-approved financial statements.
Due to tough economic times, there’s been a hold on any recent increases, although the past council gave this council the green light to review compensation in this term if they so wished.
Mayor Karen Sorensen puts in at least 35 to 40 hours – and often way more – and earns a base salary of $35,000, while her council colleagues earn a base pay of $17,500.
She said wage increases are always a difficult discussion to have.
“Any increases were not considered by past council because of the economic times, but a motion was passed by the last council that this council could look at salaries,” she said.
“I guess what I would say is that I would leave it up to the public to say whether they believe that’s fair compensation for the job.”
The salaries for mayor and council, and the chief administrative officer, were disclosed in the financial statements approved by council May 24.
For 2010, town manager Robert Earl was paid a salary of $192,216 with $22,746 in benefits and allowances, for a total of $218,962. That compares to a total of $204,508 in 2009.
Mayor Karen Sorensen earned $22,783 in salary, plus $3,322 in benefits for 2010, but she sat as a lower paid councillor, not mayor, until mid-October.
Councillor Chip Olver’s salary was $19,936 plus $3,248 in benefits and allowances; Coun. Leslie Taylor’s salary was $17,290 plus $3,137 in benefits and allowances; and Coun. Stavros Karlos $18,530 for salary and $3,179 for benefits and allowances.
Councillors Paul Baxter, Brian Standish and Grant Canning were newly elected in October, 2010, meaning less than three months of pay shows up in the 2010 statements.
Baxter’s salary was $3,323 and $826 in benefits; Standish’s salary was $3,323 and $826 in benefits and allowances and Canning’s pay was $3,766 and $381 in benefits and allowances.
Salary includes regular base pay, bonuses, overtime, lump sum payments, gross honoraria and any other direct cash remuneration.
Every politician puts in more hours than initially expected, but Sorensen said they aren’t in it for the money.
“That’s not why we do it,” she said. “I honestly do it out of love for this community.”
