Working group recommends Kingston City Council receive pay increase, keep roles part-time

A report went to Council on Tuesday.

A working group on council renumeration is recommending a few tweaks to the make up of Kingston City Council.

The citizen-led Council Resource Review Working Group delivered their final report at Tuesday's Council meeting.

Some of the findings in the report was that the mayor and councillors were to remain as part-time roles even though it concluded that those on Council work the equivilent to a full-time position. They did say staff should be able provide resources for councillors.

Mayor Bryan Paterson says the part-time status allows for those on council to remain employed at their current job.

But he does indicate that some changes could be on the horizon.

The group also recommended that the salary the mayor and councillors receive during their time in office be increased at the rate of inflation. 

Starting Nov 15, the mayor will earn $153,510 a year while councillors will receive $53,550 a year. That is up 19 percent from the salaries that the current Council is earning.

Paterson says the group used feedback from the public to make the recommendations in the report.

Other recommendations the group made include: changing the term for Deputy Mayor from two months to four months, increasing the budget for conferences and travel, and providing more information for those looking to run for municipal office.

There has been some concern about diversity and the quality of candidates that do throw their hat in the ring.

But Paterson finds no issue with the way council is elected.

The amended motion to accept and adopt the recommendations in the report was passed by a 12-1 vote.

Story by Ken Hashizume