Council Remuneration Policy

Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia · adopted 2024-09-10

This is the exact embedded text of the captured official document. Snapshot c2a156c840e0 · verified 2026-06-05 · original document · archived snapshot · unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.

1.0 Intent It is the intent of this policy to provide guidelines concerning Council remuneration. This policy takes effect November 12, 2024 2.0 Scope The Council Remuneration Policy applies to all Town of Mahone Bay Council members. 3.0 Definitions Council: elected members of Mahone Bay Town Council, including the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and all Councillors. Immediate Family: a parent (including legal guardian or person who acted in the capacity of parent), spouse, child (including step-children), brother, sister, parents-in- law, grandchild, grandparent, or ward. These include Chosen Family, in situations where people are detached or estranged from their biological families, they may choose people to act as family members. Remuneration: the amount paid to each Council member for attendance at Town meetings and Town functions and work fulfilling the responsibilities of the position held by each and by virtue of being an elected official. 4.0 General Guidelines 4.1 There shall be a rational relationship between the amount of compensation paid to the Mayor and Deputy Mayor and that paid to Councillors. The Mayor will receive compensation at a rate of 190% of the amount paid to Councillors and the Deputy Mayor will receive 115% of that amount. 4.2 As of the date of this policy coming into effect the remuneration paid to Councillors shall be $14,975.68 per year. 4.3 Council Members will be reimbursed for the costs of dependent care to a maximum of $3,000 per fiscal year. (i) Dependent Care can involve caring for a child, immediate family member with a disability (long-term or short-term) or attending to immediate family member's needs at the end of life. Care can only be expensed during official Council and Council Remuneration Policy Council Remuneration Policy 2 Committee/Board meetings, Nova Scotia Federation or Municipalities activities, Federation of Canadian Municipalities, or other professional association recognized by Council, and public events where attendance is required when the Council Member is the sole caregiver at the time of the meeting or event. Care equates to care of a dependent, time, and does not include expenses related to medical bills, meals, etc. (ii) This policy shall not cover costs for child care provided by a spouse/partner, former spouse/partner with custody rights of the child or for dependent care of a senior or disabled person provided by their spouse or child. (iii) Council Members may claim expenses by submitting an expense claim and Appendix A: Affidavit of Cost to the Finance Department. 4.4. (i) Remuneration shall increase annually on April 1st in accordance with changes in the Nova Scotia Provincial Consumer Price Index. (ii) If it is Council's determination that the annual remuneration rate should be reviewed to increase more than Nova Scotia's annual Consumer Price Index, then a citizen based committee shall be appointed by resolution of Town Council to review the remuneration paid to elected officials. The citizen-based committee will be responsible to submit a report, including recommendation, to Town Council for consideration not less than two months prior to a forth coming municipal election, with any approved changes taking effect upon the swearing in of the new Town Council or on a date determined by Council by motion.. (iii) The CAO or designate shall issue a call for community members interested in serving on the remuneration review committee and facilitate the initial meeting, including the appointment of a chair. The CAO may allocate staff to assist the committee in conducting its review. 4.5 There shall be no other benefits for elected officials. 4.6 (i) Notwithstanding Section 4.5, the Mayor and Councillors shall be provided with a computer by the Town of Mahone Bay. This computer shall remain the property of the Town throughout the elected official's term of office, at the end of which it shall be returned to the Town. (ii) Notwithstanding Section 4.4, the Mayor shall be provided with a smart phone or comparable technology and all reasonable associated expenses by the Town of Mahone Bay. This device shall remain the property of the Town throughout the Mayor's term of Office, at the end of which it shall be returned to the Town. (iii) Supplementary costs, such as home internet service, shall be the financial responsibility of the Mayor and Councillors. Council Remuneration Policy 3 Clerk's Annotation for Official Policy Book Date of Notice to Council Members of Intent to Consider {7 days minimum notice}: August 22, 2024 Date of Passage of Policy: September 10, 2024 ___________________________ ______________________ Clerk Date Council Remuneration Policy 4 Appendix A: Affidavit of Cost I, _____________________ swear that the amount of the expenses claimed for dependent care per the Town of Mahone Bay Council Remuneration Policy are true and correct to the best of my knowledge. Signed this ________th day of _____________ 20______ Signature: Printed: