PUSLINCH — Puslinch's mayor and councillors will take home larger paychecks in 2025.
Approved at a Puslinch council meeting Wednesday morning, staff said they recommended the increases because both the mayor and councillor's current remuneration are below the 55 percentile pay target which is considered "low."
To come into effect on Jan. 1, 2025, Puslinch Mayor James Seeley's salary will increase from $30,802 to $40,928 while all councillor's wages will increase from $20,754 to $21,468.
Pay rates for a mayor in the 55 percentile range from $27,478 to $51,874 while councillors range from $18,153 to $27,997.
At the meeting, Councillor Sara Bailey asked whether council could consider a "phase-in approach" for the proposed increase. Interim CAO Courtenay Hoytfox said while possible, this would have a "relatively modest" impact.
Coun. John Sepulis also suggested the township review how it compensates citizen members in committee in four years. This was included in the motion and approved.
In response to Sepulis, Hoytfox said Puslinch is one of the only municipalities in Wellington County that compensate committee members which is considered "very progressive."
"There's not a lot of comparator data because most (municipalities) don't," said Hoytfox. "With that said, a lot of municipalities struggle to have folks attend (committee meetings) because it is purely volunteer whereas I think the township has very good interest."
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
