Local taxpayers forked out nearly $1 million in compensation and reimbursements of expenses for city council members last year, which is an increase of more than $200,000 from 2021.
Much of that increase flows from the rising value of benefit claims, from $59,111 in 2021 to $176,772 in 2023, and to a lesser extent, more money spent on conference and training, shows a staff report released on Friday.
Councillors also saw a 25 per cent pay raise following the municipal election in 2022.
Not surprisingly, the highest paid council member last year was Mayor Cam Guthrie. He received $155,474 in pay, along with $37,288 in taxable benefits and was reimbursed for his cell phone ($1,354), conferences ($15,589) and other items ($1,153), for a total of $210,858.
Each of the city’s 12 councillors was paid $48,371 in salary, along with varying amounts for benefits and reimbursements.
Total direct spending on council increased from $707,447 in 2021 to $962,270 in 2023.
Training and conference spending has gone from $2,355 to $36,413 during that time.
No members of council had perfect attendance last year, though a few came close.
Of 82 total meetings, including special sessions and workshops, councillors Christine Billings and Linda Busuttil attended 81. Guthrie followed at 80 – the same number of meetings attended by councillors Erin Caton and Rodrigo Goller.
Next up were councillors Cathy Downer and Dominique O’Rourke, who each attended 77 council meetings, followed by councillors Ken Yee Chew (76), Leanne Caron (74), Michele Richardson (74), Carly Klassen (73), Phil Allt (71) and Dan Gibson (68).
