Prince Edward County council has approved a 2% increase in council compensation that would bring them on par with similarly sized municipalities.
A staff report came before council at Tuesday’s meeting regarding the compensation that would see the mayor make approximately $52,000 and councillors $25,300.
The recommendation also included an increase on travel expenses to $0.59 per kilometre as well as a $142 honorarium for committee chairs.
Mayor Steve Ferguson opened discussion to explain why he couldn’t support the increase.
“I’m going to find it difficult to support a two percent increase in salary on the backs of so many that suffered throughout the pandemic, so I’m not in favour of that increase. Now, I understand fully how hard everybody has worked over the course of time since March of 2020 and prior to that and how much work lies ahead. I’ve got to look at this on the basis of what others have suffered. For that reason I can’t and won’t support the increase in the salary component.”
Councillor MacNaughton explained that for those who are not well off the increase could be a difference maker.
“I would suggest that there are some in the room for whom it would be, perhaps, icing, an additional percentage, but for others it might be not a luxury and that it might be very, very helpful for more restricted households. I would consider that before voting against it. This is one of the things that makes elected representation very difficult, is that the remuneration is not particularly reimbursed in a sense of being able to balance a household budget.”
Councillor MacNaughton’s comments were echoed by multiple other councillors who also cited the workload of being in such a unique municipality composed of so many communities.
Councillor Phil Prinzen elected not to vote in favour of the increase saying he “knew what he was signing up for” but did encourage councillors to think about talking about setting the remunerations for the next council iteration in the spring.
After some more discussion council voted on and approved the recommendation.
To see the full staff report, click here.
