Return to in-person meetings has helped lead to a 20% increase in Muskoka District councillor remuneration.
In a staff report to council, the total remuneration for Muskoka District council was $766,344 for 2023. This compared to $634,494 in 2022, representing a 20.8% increase in remuneration.
The listed factors for this increase were an increase of $51,367 in honorariums in 2023 compared to 2022, following a council-approved remuneration increase. Another factor in the increase was a one-time technology stipend of $1,692 per councillor, totalling $37,224. Finally, returning to in-person meetings and conferences for councillors led to an increase of $30,906 in hotel, travel and mileage costs.
Per the Municipal Act, the treasurer of a municipality is required to provide a statement to council which itemizes the remuneration and expenses paid to each member of council.
Municipal staff stated that travel costs for councillors were expected to increase with the return to in-person meetings and conferences. According to the report, the total remuneration expenses were still in line with the approved budget.
An area which saw a decrease was remuneration for conferences. Costs for councillors to attend conferences in 2023 were $7,666.68, a decrease from $8,696.95 in 2022.
Don’t miss out on Doppler!Sign up here to receive our email digest with links to our most recent stories.
Local news in your inbox three times per week!
Click here to support local news
Mac Redden says
Far too many pigs at the public trough voting themselves massive raises.
As Huge McKenzie said the District is “top-heavy, there are unnecessary duplications of service, there is very little accountability at the District level, the payroll is huge and there is little excuse for Muskoka to have more elected municipal councillors than many of Ontario’s larger cities.”
Toronto with 3 million people has 25 councillors.
Muskoka with 60,000 people has 23.
Do the math.
“How can we justify a substantial increase for ourselves when there are so many in need?” questioned Councillor Don Smith.”
https://doppleronline.ca/huntsville/district-council-defeats-attempt-to-reduce-proposed-increase-to-councillor-pay/
“How do we justify an increase of this magnitude when homelessness remains an issue? When many are still struggling to recover from the impacts of COVID on their lives and their businesses, and when the waiting list for public housing in Muskoka is anticipated to jump by 20 to 25 per cent in the next two years?
A bunch of crooks lurching from one massive, sometimes illegal, mistake to another.
But they know they are immune.
Why? A benefit of paying millions to the OPP.
While giving themselves massive raises.
And attempting to scam residents out of huge sums.
https://southmuskoka.doppleronline.ca/scammers-are-everywhere-including-muskoka/#comment-70494
Zero integrity.
“Sheer Stupidity.”
Mac Redden says
Gorging themselves at the public trough while residents struggle with inflation.
“Smugly wasting taxpayer money.”
It’s what they do.
https://southmuskoka.doppleronline.ca/district-launches-its-what-we-do-campaign/
The District is the worst group of people our neighbourhoods have ever come across.
We had been warned how bad they are by other residents.
Reality was far worse.
They operate far, far below a minimum standard.
As Hugh McKenzie said the District is “top-heavy, there are unnecessary duplications of service, there is very little accountability at the District level, the payroll is huge and there is little excuse for Muskoka to have more elected municipal councillors than many of Ontario’s larger cities.”
https://doppleronline.ca/huntsville/ready-or-not/
Toronto with 3 million people has 25 councillors.
Muskoka with 60,000 people has 23.
Do the math.
Far too many at the trough.
Yet when it comes up the number of councillors should be reduced to a reasonable level they always vote for the status quo.
Just like when it comes up their raises should be reduced to a reasonable level they always vote for massive increases.
“How can we justify a substantial increase for ourselves when there are so many in need?” questioned Councillor Don Smith.”
https://doppleronline.ca/huntsville/district-council-defeats-attempt-to-reduce-proposed-increase-to-councillor-pay/
“How do we justify an increase of this magnitude when homelessness remains an issue? When many are still struggling to recover from the impacts of COVID on their lives and their businesses, and when the waiting list for public housing in Muskoka is anticipated to jump by 20 to 25 per cent in the next two years?
Gorging themselves while attempting to scam residents out of huge sums.
https://southmuskoka.doppleronline.ca/scammers-are-everywhere-including-muskoka/#comment-70494
Zero integrity.
“Sheer Stupidity.”
Murray Christenson says
We need to abolish the district council plain and simple, this is unacceptable. My property tax was jacked over 10% to a level that is untenable and these jokers are blowing it on hotels, travel and mileage costs to attend meetings which is literally their job. Never mind the fact that they rarely accomplish anything of value, who gets paid to travel to work? SMH.