Total council remuneration holds steady in Wellington North

WELLINGTON NORTH – The total cost of remuneration, expenses and benefits for members of Wellington North council in 2020 was $112,669.

That figure is up only marginally from 2019, when the total was $111,563.

Cumulatively, council remuneration and expenditures for 2020 were below budgeted amounts, noted finance director Adam McNabb in a March 22 report to council.

Mayor Andy Lennox received $27,513 in annual pay plus $1,797 in benefits, $575 for conventions and seminars, $272 for telephone and internet, and $720 in travel expenses, for a total of $30,878.

Councillor Sherry Burke received $17,323 in salary, $1,063 in benefits, $1,418 for conventions and seminars, $602 for telephone and internet, and $720 in travel expenses, for a total of $21,127.

Councillor Lisa Hern received $17,323 in salary, $1,063 in benefits, $671 for conventions and seminars, $919 for telephone and internet, and $720 in travel expenses, for a total of $20,698.

Councillor Steve McCabe received $17,323 in salary, $1,063 in benefits, $0 for conventions and seminars, $797 for telephone and internet, and $720 in travel expenses, for a total of 19,904.

Councillor Dan Yake received $17,323 in salary, $1,031 in benefits, $0 for conventions and seminars, $983 for telephone and internet, and $720 in travel expenses, for a total of $20,090.

The report noted that in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a special provision was recommended by staff, and approved by council, that enabled members of council to access up to $1,500 each from the township’s Provincial Safe Restart Fund allocation to address unique remote working challenges in 2020.

“These items are viewed as unique and have not been included in the calculations of the 2020 council remuneration report,” the report states.