Welland council pay set to increase
Raise for politicians would make up for loss of tax-free third and cost taxpayers more
Welland’s mayor and council may get a raise tonight — but they wouldn’t be taking home any more pay as a result.
A staff report from the city’s human resources department says the 2017 federal budget eliminated a provision that allowed for one-third of a council member’s pay to be considered a nontaxable allowance.
That provision is officially eliminated on Jan. 15 and, according to the report, would see the mayor and council take a cut in their take-home pay.
Mayor Frank Campion is currently paid $54,500, with $18,167 being tax free. Councillors receive $15,959, with $5,319.67 being tax free.
With the elimination of the tax-free portion, Campion would be paid $38,318, while councillors would make $13,312.
“In order to ensure net pay remains the same, an increase of $16,422 would be applied to the mayor’s salary and an increase of $2,426 would be applied to each councillor’s salary. Under this scenario, the total salary budget for mayor and council would increase approximately $72,012,” the report says.
The report says that increase would have a minimal impact on the city’s overall 2019 budget.
It also says stipends for the corporate services chair, infrastructure and development services chair and human resources committee chair, as well as vicemayor, will require adjustments to maintain the same net pay.
City council meets at 7 p.m. in chambers on the second floor of Welland Civic Square.