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Athabasca County councillors switch to salaries

Athabasca County council made changes to their remuneration policies at their June 12 council meeting, which included switching to a new salary-based system starting July 1.

Athabasca County council made changes to their remuneration policies at their June 12 council meeting, which included switching to a new salary-based system starting July 1.


Council, in a motion made, according to a draft copy of the minutes, by Coun. Travais Johnson, moved to adopt amendments to Policy 2010, which official makes the switch from honorarium to salary.


Communications co-ordinator Karl Kopan said discussions first took place on October 30, 2017, during the council’s organization meeting.


“At the time, there was a motion made to refer the Rates of Remuneration to a policy review committee meeting, which had passed unanimously,” Kopan said. “Councillors had wanted to revisit the method of remuneration, or compensation as I call it, and to look more closely at a recommendation to switch to a salary-based system.”


Kopan said a report was presented to council last year which covered all salaries in the county of staff.


“The newly approved policy brings together a number of forms of compensation into the salary, that used to be separate items,” he said. “These include a communication allowance, travel time, mileage within county boundaries, and a divisional mileage that councillors got.”


He added the new salary will account for councillor preparation time, attendance at meetings within Athabasca County, public functions, communication with taxpayers, and other business they may do within the county’s borders.


“In addition to their salary, councillors also get other forms of compensation,” Kopan said. “That includes the provision of a tablet to help them communicate county business, as well as mileage for travel outside of the county boundaries subsistent for expenses while they are away at meetings, conference and events. It pretty much aligns itself with practices any business might have.”


As a result of the changes, Kopan said the system is now a lot simpler for administration to run.


“It should result in a net zero impact on the overall compensation allocated to council,” he said. “It means that will be roughly the same overall costs to Athabasca County, but more equitable, and providing a better idea for those considering running for council in the future on what their compensation will be.”


According to the new policy, the new salaries mean that each councillor will make $45,000 per year, while the reeve and deputy reeve will make $54,600 and $49,800, respectively.


“The reeve and deputy reeve are to receive more salary, as they tend to be a little busier,” Kopan said. “They tend to appear at more functions on behalf of the county.”


He added that no matter where they are within their community, each councillor is always recognized as such 24/7.


“When they are in the grocery store or attending functions on their own with their family or friends, they always interact with residents on a regular basis,” Kopan said. “And this salary helps to recognize the contribution to the county, because they are always on the job, no matter what they are doing.”


As a result of the new policy, the minutes state that Councillors Dwayne Rawson and Warren Griffen respectively, moved to rescind the communication and travel allowances, as they are now included within the salary.


Both motions also passed unanimously.

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