City of Saskatoon considers raising pay for mayor, councillors

The City of Saskatoon is looking at raising the pay for Mayor Charlie Clark and city councillors in response to an increase in their federal taxes.

Starting Jan. 1, the federal government will end personal income tax exemptions for elected officials. Before this, one-third of politicians' income was tax exempt.

In a new report, city administration is recommending that council's pay be increased to make up the difference in lost take-home income. Under the recommendations, Mayor Charlie Clark would make $145,152 per year, an increase of more than $21,000.

Councillors would make $66,770 per year, an increase of just over $10,000.

If accepted, the increase would cost the city $122,000.

The report said the changes would link the mayor's 2019 salary to that of a Saskatchewan cabinet minister. Councillors would make 46 per cent of that number.

In comparison, Regina council members make considerably less than their Saskatoon counterparts. This year, councillorsthere made $44,507 a year, while Mayor Michael Fougere made $144,832.66.

Regina is also considering a pay raise to make up for the tax changes.

Complex issue

According to University of Saskatchewan political studies professor Joe Garcea, figuring out fair compensation for politicians has been an issue for years.

While many taxpayers are leery of overpaying politicians, not paying enough can also have consequences.

"If you don't compensate adequately, are you going to run the risk of only the rich or the ones with flexible time [becoming councillors], and not others?" he said. "It's a complex matter."

In Saskatoon's case, an independent commission set out the current policy for council wages. The current system has always linked the mayor's salary to that of a provincial cabinet minister, with councillors making 46 per cent of that number.

Garcea said the job of city councillors has changed significantly over the years, and it's worth considering that.

"Given the way that the demands are on elected officials to meet on a wide range of things and to attend many different functions, it's becoming increasingly a full-time job."

Even factoring in the potential wage increase, Garcea says salaries for Saskatoon council are roughly in the mid-range of Canadian cities.

The report said the increase could be paid for by using a contingency fund, by increasing the property tax or reducing councillors' communications allowances.

The report will be discussed at council's governance and priorities meeting on Tuesday.