Sparwood will be seeing a lower than projected increase to council and mayor pay following public feedback.
The remuneration bylaw was up for adoption on Tuesday, Feb. 17, and would have raised the mayor’s annual pay to $65,000 and increased it to $31,000 for councillors.
Currently, councillors make $21,538 a year, while the mayor makes $48,460, with both having a 2.5 per cent increase annually.
In comparison, Cranbrook’s mayor makes just over $58,000 annually and council makes $21,176. However, those salaries are currently under review as well.
Roughly 50 people showed up to the council meeting to express their issues with the raise.
While Mayor David Wilks was for the original pay bump, he said it was nice to see that many people actually show up to council for something.
“You don’t know how happy I am tonight that about 50 residents of Sparwood came out to a council meeting. That’s more than we’ve had in my 17 years in council combined,” he said.
“Most council meetings no one is here. We went and borrowed $20 million for a wastewater treatment plant and didn’t hear peep from anyone, but everyone complained about the three increases they’re getting for the wastewater treatment plant. If you have a problem come talk to us. We’re here every other Tuesday.”
Councillor Amy Cardozo was in favour of rescinding third reading of the projected increase, but says pay does need to be better to get more people running for office.
“I do agree that we deserve a wage increase but 45 per cent is too much. However, I don’t think our current pay structure is sustainable for the long-term health of this council. There is already a lack of people running for council and our voter turnout was one of the lowest we’ve ever seen,” she added.
“A councillor in our position right now making $21,500 a year is taking home $650 every two weeks. This breaks down to approximately $16.30 cents an hour, below minimum wage. I raise this as a concern because speaking with other women who want to run for council, they simply can’t afford to. They have children at home that they are going to have to pay childcare for. The growing rate for childcare in the valley right now is $15 to $20. They would essentially be paying to sit on council.”
Wilks said pay needs to better reflect the hours the job entails but also the emotional toll it can have.
“I love what I do. Many of my councillors have used the words sh*t and abuse,” he said.
“Be the mayor, I’d call it worse and as a result of that it has become trying at best.”
While third reading of the remuneration bylaw was rescinded, council still had to decide on council’s pay.
That led to a stand off where a number would be suggested by a councillor, but no one would second the motion.
Finally there was a mover and a seconder for $55,000 a year for the mayor and $26,500 for councillors. There is also the set annual 2.5 per cent increase.
Mayor Wilks and councillors Cordozo, Jason Christensen and Chris Nand voted in favour, while councillors Sam Atwal, Steve Kallies and John Bahaer were against.
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