SD&G – County councillors will be getting more money in 2019 but it’s mostly to deal with a change in tax rules at the federal level.
County council approved its remuneration bylaw this morning (Monday).
The warden’s salary to go from $31,351 to $35,651 per year and councillors’ pay will be moved from $11,611 to $13,311.
The adjustment was made because the federal government is eliminating the tax exemption for one-third of council’s salary on Jan. 1, 2019.
“All municipalities that responded to a survey both locally and through the Eastern Ontario Warden’s Caucus have increased their council member’s income to compensate for the loss in income taxes,” CFO Vanessa Metcalfe said.
There are no changes to individual payments for meetings, called per diems, which are $186 for councillors and $127 for lay members appointed to boards and committees.
“I see that the media is here so I’m hoping that it’s written down properly, that people don’t interpret it as a pay increase,” Coun. Tammy Hart remarked. “We’re just getting compensated for what we’re losing.”