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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2005-12-28, Page 3The Huron Expositor • December 28, 2005 Page 3 News Council approves raises for staff, councillors Susan Hunderimark 411105.1111. Pay raises for both employees and councillors of Huron East were approved by council just in time for Christmas. But, while council unani- mously approved the first pay raise higher than a standard of living raise for staff since 2000 at its Dec. 20 meeting, not everyone agreed with the raise for council. "I prefer to wait until we see the final numbers on the budget so I'll be voting against this raise and I'd like to see a recorded vote," said Grey Coin. Mark Beaven. Those joining Beaven in a no vote against the council- lor's pay raise were Mayor Joe Seili and Deputy -Mayor Bernie MacLellan. The rest of council voted for the pay raise. "For those who voted in the negative, we sit here for seven hour meetings. Anyone who thinks we're getting overpaid can run in the next election," said Tuckersmith Coun. Bill DeJong. Seili responded that coun- cil doesn't deserve a raise until it treats its employees fairly. "Any of our employees are getting paid better than we are," snapped back DeJong. McKillop Coun. Sharon McClure pointed out that council just approved a raise for the town staff but Seili responded, "Some of our guys will never catch up." "I've been here 18 years and only run in one election. Does that mean anyone else wants this job?" said McClure. Among the motions involving staff pay, coun- cil granted a five per cent adjustment to the salary grid for all employees with a mini- mum increase of $1 per hour in any classifica- tion. A report from the per- sonnel committee points out that a salary grid Mayor hopes other municipalities will also defer farm tax From Page 1 Knight. Mayor Joe Seili told council at its Dec. 20 meeting that he hoped last year that the provincial and federal government would notice the move by Huron East and "come on board." "What they did was so mediocre and mishmash it didn't make a difference," said Seili. He added he hopes area municipalities will also fol- low suit and. show higher levels of government that "agriculture is hurting. Seaforth Coun. Joe Steffler added that farmers are probably in worse shape this year than last. • Brussels Coun. David 'Blaney recommended Huron East write up a press release and "send it to everyone who moves." "Embarrassment is a useful political tool," ho added. The tax deferred does not include taxation on the farm residences. 'Fax on houses will continue to be col- lected over the regular four installments. Huron East has 7,700 properties, of which approxi- mately 1,700 (or one in five) have farmland assessment attached to them. Huron East has just over 25 per cent of the farmland assessment in Huron County. A press conference inviting urban media is planned for today (Wednesday, Dec. 28) at 9:80 a.m. to announce the tax delbrral plan. comparison for all munici- palities in Huron County showed Huron East in the lowest quarter of most salary grid classifications. As well, council agreed to redevelop the municipal salary grid with six steps and a three per cent adjust- ment between the various steps. Finally, a two per cent standard of living raise was also approved for staff. The raise for councillors included upping the mayor's honorarium from $4;000 to $4,500, the deputy mayor's honorarium from $3,000 to $3.500, the councillor hono- rarium from $2,000 to $2,500 and the council meeting rate from $110 to $125. Other meetings went up from $70 to $80 for meet- ings under four hours, $140 to $160 for meetings over four hours and committee rate from $55 to $60. Meal allowance was set at a maximum of $60 a day and the convention per diem was set at a maximum of $1,500 for one convention a year. A survey of councils throughout Huron County showed Huron East with the lowest honorariums in the county.