While any changes in what future Carleton Place Councillors are paid aren’t usually discussed until an election year, Treasurer Trisa McConkey took advantage of recent comparison report to seek a policy update on what the next council will earn.
Trisa presented a list of over 30 Ontario towns with comparable populations. The average pay for mayors was $40,276 and for councillors it was $22,765, for a per capita cost of $13.72. Mayor Toby Randell currently receives $48,434 councillors get $23,946 costing each resident $15.43.
The highest cost per taxpayer in Lanark County is in Montague at $64.13 while the lowest is Smiths Falls at $8.37.
Staff recommendations would see the Mayor and Deputy Mayor’s pay reduced, with councillors getting a $400 bump along with a 2.5% annual cost of living increase.
Deputy Mayor Andrew Tennant suggested adding a committee stipend to recognize the extra work involved.
Council’s committee voted to defer any decision until budget discussions later this fall.
Story by Brian Turner
