By Cecilia Nasmith
Among the bylaws passed by Northumberland County council at its February meeting was one to provide for councillors' remuneration and expenses.
Councillors will receive an annual salary of $20,018.16 for attending all meetings (including such associated meetings as training-and-education sessions and attendance at community announcements as required).
The increased responsibilities (and meeting schedules) of the Warden and Deputy Warden were acknowledged with annual salaries of $49,231.76 and $24,021,70 respectively.
Attendance at county department meetings and other requisite meetings (such as those of the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit and Agricultural Advisory Group) will be paid on a per-meeting rate of $100.
Each councillor has a designated alternate, who will receive $100 for attending a council meeting in the absence of that councillor,
Attendance at conferences of associations for which the county pays membership fees will be reimbursed in terms of fees, transportation, accommodations and meals to a maximum of $4,000 per calendar year. No per-diem remuneration will be paid for attending these conferences.
In any case where a councillor is paid for attendance or mileage by another municipality or agency, no county reimbursement will be paid.
This bylaw delegates to Treasurer Glenn Dees the authority to update the salaries annually as per the Consumer Price Index for Ontario on Dec. 1 – and to the Clerk Nancy MacDonald to review the remunerations and expenses every four years. This will take place in the third year of a council term, with a report provided to council.
The bylaw comes into force retroactively from Jan. 1, 2020.
