DISTRICT of West Vancouver mayor and council voted unanimously Monday night to give themselves their first pay hike in nearly a decade.
Effective April 1, councillors will see their salaries bumped from $21,972 to $30,000. Mayor Michael Smith's pay is scheduled to rise from $65,915 to $75,000.
Smith acknowledged voting for a wage increase went against his 30-year track record of advocating for fiscal prudence from elected officials.
"I haven't seen anything to prove that the more you pay, the better candidates you get," he said. "Frankly, I can't vote for an increase for myself," Smith said.
Smith said he plans to donate his salary increase to the West Vancouver Foundation, with the suggestion the money be earmarked for the seniors' shuttle bus service.
"That way it'll stay in the district," he said. Despite "serious reservations," Smith voted in favour of the motion. "There's a significant cost to childcare and time away from employment," he said.
Salaries for West Vancouver's mayor and council are slated to be linked with the lowest paid council among comparable cities that include New Westminster, Maple Ridge, as well as the City and District of North Vancouver.
"I'm not sure why we should be the lowest," said Coun. Nora Gambioli, pointing out that councillors in similar cities earn approximately $15,000 more than West Vancouver councillors.
By working 25 hours a week, Gambioli said she's currently earning about $16 an hour.
"We have no pension in this job," she said, suggesting previous councils haven't raised their salaries due to a lack of gumption. "We're going to be criticized no matter what we do," she said.
A report written by Terrence Schmaltz, director of human resources and payroll services, suggested councillors be paid $37,000 and the mayor receive an annual stipend of $90,000.
Characterizing the suggested salary hike as "preposterous," resident Beverly Sharpe suggested Schmaltz was out of touch. "Obviously, the compensation consultant is unaware of the global belttightening that is going on around the world," she stated.
"I think that you would be wise to lower your salaries rather than raising them," wrote resident Russ Fraser.
Several letter writers stated mayor and council were underpaid, with a slight majority of respondents advocating a raise for council
"This is a middle ground of trying to have a modest increase," said Coun. Craig Cameron. "I'm the primary breadwinner of my home," Cameron said. Being an effective councillor requires taking one day off from work each week, according to Cameron.
"There are financial implications to doing the job of councillor properly," he said, explaining his time off is affecting his pension.
Coun. Mary-Ann Booth said a councillor's current pay is not commensurate with the breadth and complexity of the work. "We don't do it for the money," she said, adding that her school board salary was approximately $1 less per month.
"The compensation has been seriously out of line for a long time," said resident and council watcher Alex Tunner. "I'm basically in favour of the increase." Previous councils have practised "financial self-flagellation" at the behest of "loud voices from the peanut gallery," according to Tunner.
Council essentially oversees a multi-million dollar corporation while working nearly full-time hours, according to Tunner, who also said the pay hike would result in a miniscule tax increase.
"The cost adjustment involved is insignificant: it's onetenth of one per cent," he said.
Former West Vancouver school board candidate Christine Banham called on council to keep their pay in line with other municipalities as well as with the school board. Low salaries may also reduce the number of candidates willing to stand for public office, according to Banham.
"We risk that we're governed only by people who can afford to," Banham said.
Council salaries are scheduled to be adjusted annually according to the consumer price index, with reviews by council every three years.
