Why some councillors are divided over a decision to increase their pay

A city committee has approved a proposal toincrease councillor salaries by about $12,000 a year after the next election.

All 14 councillors, excluding the mayor, make about $36,000 every year for their part-time positions with the city.

Ifapproved by council on Tuesday, the new salaries wouldmatch the 2016 median full-time employment income of the average Londoner. Based on a 2011 national household survey, the median income would be about $48,000 a year, according to the staff report.

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Despite the increase, councillors would still work part time, which is a concern for several of the politicianswho sayan increase to full-time pay would cause confusion in the community about job expectations.

A $48,000 salary is a "ton of money for a part-time job," saidCoun. Stephen Turner, who was among five councillorson the committee who opposed the increase. In the end, the committee approved the proposal in a 9-5 vote.

"There becomes an expectation from the public that someone making that much is working full time at the job," Turner said.

Coun. Phil Squire, whoalso works as a lawyer in London, is afraid full-time pay could lead to further discussions about full-time positions.

"You can do this job full-time in the right circumstances," he said. "The call will continue and grow stronger that you've signed up for full-time."

The role of a city councillor includes community outreach, council and committee attendance, as well as being involved with city planning, among other responsibilities.

Looking ahead

Anarm's length task force made up of volunteers presented a report to the strategic priorities and policy committee on Monday highlighting about 10 recommendations, including no additional pay for the deputy mayor position and acting chairpersons on committees.

Dan Ross, who's the chairperson of the compensation review task force, said the median full-time income number would serve as a reasonable benchmark for the rate of compensation for a council member.

"We hope our recommendations will make a difference," he said. "The combination of everything we did, we felt, created an environment that would lead to effective and more efficient execution of councillor duties."

Ross said maintaining a part-time position would allow a plethora of Londoners to consider running for council.

"We could eliminate a lot of extremely capable people that are prepared to give what it takes to do their job effectively," he said.

Londoners had the chance to weigh in on how much a city councillor should make throughout the 16-month process leading up to a final report.

London councillors ranked last in compensation when compared to other cities across Canada, including Hamilton, Kitchener and Halifax. Councillor salaries in London haven't increased since 2013.

The final decision to increase salaries is in the hands of full council to be reviewed on Tuesday.