Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A consultant hired by the Town of Ingersoll recommended the mayor receive a staggering 46 per cent pay hike while councillors should see a 37 per cent pay hike. Council unanimously turned down the proposal and asked the consultant to go back to the drawing board.
If approved that would mean the mayor’s yearly stipend would rise from just over $37,000 to $54,000 while councillors would have jumped to nearly $23,000 from just under $16,000.
The consultant, Marianne Love of ML Consulting in Toronto, presented the figures after puzzlingly comparing Ingersoll to much larger cities such as Woodstock.
Mayor Brian Petrie said the municipalities used in the consultant’s report aren’t reflective of the mayor or councillor roles in the town.
“I don’t agree with including Brant and Norfolk counties. Way different criteria for what they do as far as job roles and responsibilities and the same with Stratford and Woodstock. They are much larger centres and there is nothing wrong with the math, but it does push that percentile higher.”
Petrie added he would like to see more compatible municipalities in terms of size, population and responsibility for members of council.
“I do think that is driving up the percentage into a rate that I couldn’t support.”
A motion was passed by council to direct staff to work with Love on finding remuneration with municipalities similar to Ingersoll. Love said her presentation was a good starting point.
“I understand the observations and this was a place to start. We can certainly come back with a refined group. But at this point we wanted to get it in front of council and provide direction.”
Councillor Rick Eus said in his opinion he could never vote to approve such a pay hike.
“I could never vote for that much of an increase. At the end of the day, I always deemed being a councillor as being community service as opposed to doing it for the money. I am happy with what I get right now. I would echo the mayor that we need to look at more comparable municipalities.”
Councillor Mike Bowman also spoke at the Aug. 12 meeting and also wanted to see the comparisons in line with towns like Ingersoll.
“I myself don’t do it for the money. I am here for the community service. This is my community, I want to be part of it and I want to do my job.”
Council passed a motion stating staff be directed to seek a refined comparator group and base pay analysis.
Councillor Kristy Van Kooten-Bossence agreed with her fellow elected officials to not approve a massive pay hike.
“Not in my right mind would I ever vote for a 45 per cent or whatever that ridiculous percentage was. I can’t do that. That’s not what this community is all about. Usually what we have given non-union or management staff is what we’ve seen as our own increases and to me, that is what we should be continuing to do.”
While all members of council voted against the proposal, Deputy Mayor Lindsay Wilson hinted that some sort of pay increase could make running for elected office more attractive.
“I am not saying I would support the increase or anything like that. The alternative perspective is these decisions are not just for our own personal benefit. We are also hoping people want to run and do this job in the future so we are creating those conditions and that’s an important perspective to consider as well.”
She added some people would consider making the amount of money elected officials do a life-changing experience and she wants that perspective to feel welcome in council chambers.
“It’s the alternative I want to offer,” she added.
Petrie had the final word and said he liked the town’s policy of remuneration being tied to what non-union staff receive but it needs to reflect what other areas Ingersoll’s size are paying.
“We have to have the right amount of pay for the job we are doing. The mayor of the County of Brant makes $103,000 and that is in line with what the warden (of Oxford County) gets. Those are different roles and responsibilities. It’s about giving the right amount so we can justify that to our residents.”
He added council needs to make the right decisions so people will want to run for council and are well-compensated.
“I will be honest. I am in a position right now where I can do this. I also have a position on (county) council which is about another $36,000 a year so I make about $70,000 in this role. If I had to buy a new house I can’t afford to in this role. I don’t have car payments. I don’t have children.”
Petrie said he has chosen to make his position a full-time one but it doesn’t mean everyone could.
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