RAISE YOUR HAND
What do you think Mayor Gregor Robertson earns as the city's fearless leader?
Or how about the city's 10 councillors? As of Jan. 1, both Robertson and the rest of council are earning a wee bit more than they were in 2011.
That's because of a bylaw passed way back in September 1995-when Philip Owen was mayor-that stated the sitting mayor of the day and his council shall receive a pay hike each Jan. 1.
This year, Robertson's salary is $146,156 compared to the $144,394 he tucked under his mattress in 2011. Councillors will earn $64,386 this year, a jump from $63,609 last year.
Wondering how the city arrives at these salary levels?
So was I.
According to the city's communications staff, the annual hike to councillor salaries is based on the increase from something called "the average weekly wage rate for B.C." for the 12 months ending in November 2010.
That wage rate was a 3.14 per cent hike for the 12 months ending in November. That percentage is used to calculate the increase to councillor salaries this year.
The mayor's salary and subsequent hike is then determined by calculating a councillor's salary-$64,386-by 2.27 times to equal $146,156.
That formula is spelled out in the 1995 bylaw.
When comparing salaries to what their counterparts in Edmonton will rake in this year, Robertson and his crew might be feeling a little shortchanged.
According to the City of Edmonton's website, that city's mayor, Stephen Mandel, is eligible this year to receive a $150,748 salary and his councillors, $83,488.
But being the good folks that they are in the city that Gretzky built, Mandel and eight of his councillors decided to take pay cuts for 2012 and/ or donate up to $2,500, in some cases, to charity. For some inexplicable reason (it's not indicated on the website), Mandel has chosen to take the biggest pay reduction on Edmonton council-$15,054-to earn a 2012 salary of $135,694.
Edmonton councillors will earn between $79,787 and $82,966 for looking after the city's business this year-a city similar in population and city workforce size to Vancouver.
But it should be noted that Vancouver councillors can also earn more money as, for example, a Metro Vancouver director and when assuming duties as deputy mayor (worth $2,679 per month served).
In December 2010, which was the last time I examined what Metro Vancouver directors were paid, they were getting $322 each for attending a meeting for less than four hours.
Vision Vancouver Coun. Raymond Louie, who cashed some of those $322 cheques, stands to earn a lot more pesos this year for his civic duties.
In December, Louie was elected vice-chair of the Metro Vancouver board. Louie's predecessor, North Vancouver District Mayor Richard Walton was pulling in $32,200 as vice-chair.
Port Coquitlam Mayor Greg Moore was elected chair of the Metro Vancouver board, replacing Delta Mayor Lois Jackson who earned $61,674 in that role in 2010.
Robertson and his councillors also get transportation allowances and are covered for travel and conference expenses. Some also claim for meals and other miscellaneous costs such as dry cleaning. In the past, many have accepted freebies to concerts, hockey games and yacht rides in English Bay.
So, yes, civic politicians can make some decent cash.
But hands up all those who could sit through a day of meetings followed by a night of public hearings. And then repeat that again and again and again.
Wait a sec, that job description sounds familiar.
Note: Any readers who think yours truly should be eligible for a pay raise this year and at least $322 for every meeting attended, please contact my boss.
Twitter: @Howellings
