Remuneration report pegs pay for county council at $915,000

GUELPH – The cost of compensating Wellington County councillors was about $915,000 in 2021.

That’s a slight decrease from the $928,962 in combined remuneration councillors received in 2020. It’s also the second straight year with a total decrease.

A statement of remuneration and expenses for county council was presented at the Feb. 24 meeting. Pay, expenses and benefits for all council members totalled $914,901.

Kelly Linton, who served as warden in 2021, was the highest paid member of council last year, receiving a total salary of $132,573 plus benefits of $12,987 and expenses of $4,689 for total remuneration of $150,250.

For the seven council members who are also mayors of their respective municipalities, the county compensation is in addition to remuneration received from their home municipality.

Benefits include the employer portion of OMERS and CPP as well as dental and extended health coverage. Expenses include amounts reimbursed to officials plus amounts paid on their behalf.

County council members elected not to receive an economic adjustment in 2021.