SOUTH HURON — South Huron councillors received a total of $145,089.61 in remuneration and expenses in 2009.
Treasurer Sandy Becker presented the report at council's March 1 meeting.
Members of council receive a flat rate per year and are also paid per meeting attended. They also receive benefits and expenses for conferences and conventions.
The following are the total remuneration figures for South Huron council: Deputy Mayor George Robertson ($24,491.96); Coun. Cathy Seip ($22,904.65); Coun. David Frayne ($21,637.13); Coun. Peter Armstrong ($20,460.86); Mayor Ken Oke ($19,850.03); Coun. Tom Tomes ($18,141.57); and Coun. Jim Dietrich ($17,603.41).
Members of the South Huron police services board received total remuneration and expenses of $12,321.50 in 2009: Robert Laye ($4,575.51); Oke ($4,263.12); and Mark Hartman ($3,482.87).
Under the Municipal Act, municipalities must make such figures public annually.
At last week's council meeting, on Dietrich's recommendation, council decided to discuss remuneration policy for next year's council at a future committee of the whole meeting.
Other council notes:
Vote by mail returns
As in the 2006 election, South Huron voters in this fall's municipal election will be using the 'vote by mail' process.
Like in 2006, DataFix will be the contractor providing the voting kit for South Huron.
Clerk Michael Di Lullo told council last week that after concerns that some voters were confused by the process in 2006, vote by mail will be made simpler this time around.
He added the benefits of using vote by mail are higher voter response, greater accessibility for all residents and more efficiency in processing the ballots compared to the traditional system.
Di Lullo said the cost of vote by mail compared with the traditional method is comparable — the 2006 election cost about $22,000, including $7,500 for DataFix and $3,700 for Canada Post.
Di Lullo said he expects results to be released on voting night quicker this time around than in the 2006 election.