ST. PAUL – Heading into 2023, County of St. Paul council has agreed to keep their pay the same as 2022.
During the Oct. 28 County of St. Paul organizational meeting, the council motioned to have their rates for remuneration and allowances remain as status quo.
The “Top Up Per Diem for Committees that pay at a different rate” was also removed.
Reeve Glen Ockerman feels council “has been fairly compensated,” explaining that council’s focus on the upcoming year includes countering the effects of inflation on the local economy. Therefore, council’s remuneration was not a priority.
“I don’t see much discussion or much talk happening on remuneration,” said Ockerman. While the reeve believes “council is deserving” of the salary they receive, “We realized everybody had to pull back. And what better place to start than right with the council.”
During the organizational meeting, Coun. Maxine Fodness was re-appointed as deputy reeve for the ensuing year.
The base councillor salary for County of St. Paul councillors is set at $2,077/month; the base deputy reeve salary is $2,473/month; and the case reeve salary is set at $2,869/month. The Committee Meeting Rate is set at $209, which is the same as virtual meetings/conference rates. Out of County meeting rates that are over 170 km one way are set at $264.
Councillors also have a $100 cell phone allowance.
Cost of living
Ockerman acknowledged residents will be dealing with higher bills for many things, like natural gas to heat their homes and groceries to feed their families.
“It’s costing people more to live every day, so we’re just trying to find a balance here,” he said. “So that’s our focus.”
Council will also look at the services provided to the community, and “maybe how we can streamline things, (making it) a little more economically feasible for the ratepayers of the County of St. Paul,” said Ockerman.
The reeve explained that in the St. Paul area, there are many non-profit organizations, community services and programs that are essential to the community, and they too are “struggling.”
In addition to inflation, energy costs like electricity, have also gone up over the years, affecting many of the groups the County supports.
“How do we keep the lights and power on there?” he asked, referring to the long list of community groups that exist in the region, such as the groups that operate community halls and arenas.
“They’re coming to us looking for assistance to see what we can do to make it so they can keep the lights on and operate,” said Ockerman.
The reeve said supporting youth in the community is also important, which he explained, includes the existence and maintenance of sports programs and facilities.
“If we don’t have the youth and we’re not retaining our youth – the County would be in a bad spot,” he said.
He pointed to successful athletic organizations, such as the St. Paul Football Club that saw both the Lions and Bengals teams achieve plenty of success on the field this season.
“That’s who we are... my chest just pops out, and I’m so proud of that,” said Ockerman.
County of St. Paul council is expected to approve its 2023 interim budget at this month’s regular council meeting, set for Dec. 19.
