M.D. to examine provincial averages before deciding whether to hike pay

Tina Kennedy South Peace News

The issue of honorarium and monthly allowance increases for M.D. of Big Lakes councillors went back to the drawing board again during the March 12 meeting.

After a motion to increase honorariums was rescinded and changed, councillors decided to send administration back to investigating provincial averages before making a decision.

Randy Ehman, Sunset House/Gilwood councillor had a problem with a previous idea to increase allowances and honorariums annually, when staff increases were reviewed.

"I've thought about this long and hard. We do totally separate jobs. To tie the two together is totally wrong," says Ehman.

Ehman went on to say the increases should be somewhere near the provincial average, even for committee members at large who receive honorariums. However, finding out exactly how much that is will be left to John Eriksson, chief administrative officer.

Joyce Dvornek, North Gilwood/Triangle councillor noted that her original intent was not to tie the salaries together with political honorariums.

"The reason for my comment . . . was not specific to staff increases but to ensure it's looked at annually," adds Dvornek. Leaving the issue four years means the increases are much more substantial than they should have been.

To ensure the honorarium policy is looked at regularly, a motion to ensure the policy is reviewed annually was passed unanimously.

Eriksson will review provincial averages and bring the information back to a future Big Lakes meeting.