By Sarah Payne The Tri-City News
Jul 18 2007
Port Moody council is thinking about a pay raise but it’s the next council that would reap the benefits.
Last week, PoMo council endorsed a finance committee resolution to re-establish the council indemnity task force for 2008. Members would likely be selected this December to analyse council’s current pay compared to that of councillors in other Greater Vancouver municipalities and School District 43 trustees.
In May 2005, the previous council approved a raise for the mayor and councillors that took effect in January 2006.
Mayor Joe Trasolini now earns just over $65,000 (up from nearly $56,000 prior to 2006) and councillors earn $22,750 (up from $19,541). One third of the indemnity is tax free to cover expenses and each member is offered basic medical, extended health and dental benefits paid for by the city. As well, another $250 is available for each elected official annually to cover the cost of attending special events on behalf of the city.
Coun. Mike Clay, who chairs the finance committee, said he thinks councillors should get paid more because the community expects a significant dedication of time and effort.
“But it’s a very awkward situation when you’re voting on your own salary,” he added. “That’s why last time they did it, they made it effective for the next term. It wouldn’t apply to any of us this term.”
Coun. Diana Dilworth participated in the 1998 and 2005 indemnity task forces as a resident and, during the latest review, said the committee settled on the current salaries based on expectations for each role. Being mayor of Port Moody precludes an individual from working elsewhere, she said in 2005, while councillors could still hold down jobs.
Coquitlam council recently voted itself a 21% pay raise, which took effect early this year. Mayor Maxine Wilson now earns nearly $111,360 annually while councillors earn $45,326 (a third of which is tax free). In Port Coquitlam, Mayor Scott Young earns $69,646 while councillors get $23,627.
In April, the School District 43 board voted against giving itself a 9% ($2,280) pay raise. Trustees will continue to be paid $25,250, with the chair, currently Port Moody trustee Melissa Hyndes, getting an extra $2,500. Those amounts were set in 2004 — with trustees of the time giving themselves a 13% pay raise.