A pay increase could be coming for Hastings County’s council in the next budget.
During Tuesday’s Finance, Property, and Personnel Committee meeting, the committee reviewed plans to adjust compensation for council members as part of the upcoming 2026 budget.
In that report, it was found that Hastings County pays its councillors significantly less than other counties or municipalities. Pay for councillors was found to be 38% lower than the 50th percentile rate for all municipalities in the Eastern Ontario Warden’s Caucus. Hastings county was the only municipality on the list that paid councillors on a per-diem model over a salary model.
Because pay for councillors was lagging behind, the report recommended a pay increase along with a cost of living adjustment. The pay for the warden position was in line with other communities, so a cost of living adjustment was still recommended with no other increase.
The committee settled on a three-year implementation for the pay increase, with the per-diem pay rate rising from $486.94 to $537.37 in the 2026 budget, and additional 13% adjustment plus cost of living for 2027 and 2028.
Hastings County Warden Bob Mullin said that it is important to recognize the extra hours and effort councillors put in.
“We need to recognize the additional attendance of many counsellors at numerous committees, and doing a flat rate would not recognize that and the length of time that is put into prepare meeting preparations,” said Warden Mullin. “The per-diem, while not perfect, does recognize the additional time.”
The committee approved the recommendation and sent the new rates to the upcoming budget talks for final approval as part of the 2026 budget.
