FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 26, 2014
As a continuation of the town’s operational review conducted in 2012, the 11th Council of Happy Valley-Goose Bay recently commissioned an independent report to review Council’s operations. The study examined current legislation pertaining to remuneration, benchmark comparisons with similar communities, a profile of the community, and a historical review of Council compensation.
The findings of the report indicate that the Happy Valley-Goose Bay Council is undercompensated in comparison to other Councils in communities of similar size and circumstances. There has not been a remuneration adjustment in 14 years, with the last review implemented in October 2000. Since then, the municipality has experienced tremendous growth, brought on by large-scale development and other economic activities. The demands on Council have been enormous, even when compared to other communities.
The consultant recommended an adjustment to bring the Happy Valley-Goose Bay Council in line with other communities in the province. Council received the report and partially accepted the recommendations at the 23rd public Council meeting held last night, 25 November 2014, by formally adopting the following changes to the Council Remuneration Policy:
Mayor’s Remuneration $29,000 annually
Deputy Mayor’s Remuneration $25,000 annually
Councillor’s Remuneration $22,000 annually
The annual remuneration will be adjusted in accordance with “Cost of Living” increases as determined annually by the Government of Canada for each individual province. Council did not implement recommendations in relation to professional development and options for health and dental benefits. Early in 2014, Council repealed long-term policies in place for spousal travel, and Board and Committee compensation for representing the town on organizations such as the Goose Bay Airport Corporation and other external agencies. These compensations must be paid to the town and not the Councillor. This creates an equitable, and transparent system with one compensation amount that is well within the guidelines of the Municipalities Act.
“As a Council we felt it was appropriate to address the issue prior to the upcoming by-election, and for the benefit of all future Councils,” stated His Worship The Mayor, Jamie Snook. “It will put our local Government on par with other municipalities in the province, and this Council and future Councils will now be treated fairly and equitably.”
A copy of the full report can be found here: Council Compensation Review & Recommendations