Council was not opposed to the terms of reference outlined by administration for the creation of an ad hoc committee to review council's remuneration policy.
Among the areas to be addressed by the committee are the following: salaries for mayor, deputy mayor, and councillors; per diem amounts and application; benefits; mileage allowance; as well as any other matter directly related to council remuneration.
"Previous council asked that this be put to this council ó we ran out of time to get this committee together," said mayor Terry Leslie during the Oct. 23 meeting, inquiring whether any of his council colleagues had some additional input for consideration.
"I'm a firm believer in the fact that our community should decide what we are paid and not council," said Coun. Cheri Funke.
Coun. Todd Dalke said he had heard from some residents who have expressed concerns over previous increases and that the matter should have been dealt with by the outgoing council as opposed to the incoming council, which has four new members at the table.
The mayor said forming a community committee to review the history and facts and make recommendations regarding how council should be compensated is a wise course of action.
"We need to hear from the community when they have issues and we need to respond to that," said Leslie.
Coun. Paul Isaac added that in the past two terms of council ó a span of seven years ó there had only been one increase.
Seeing as council seemed largely in favour of the terms of reference as outlined, administrator Linda Nelson said the process to seek committee members would be advertised.
Once formed, the committee will be expected to provide a report before the end of the year.
