Let’s head back to January of 1971 when the new Delta council was about to get a pay bump, thanks to the previous council that voted for the increase.
Back when elections were held every year, the majority of the alderman on the 1971 council were on the previous council that voted for the increase in a special Dec. 31 “clean-up” meeting.
Voting in favour were Mayor Dugald Morrison and aldermen Hugh Hunt, Pat Shields, Harold Savage, Doug Watkins and Doug Massey. Alderman Ernie Bexley voted in opposition, saying the sitting council should be voting for an increase.
The “substantial” increase in pay would see alderman receive a $2,400 in salary, or indemnity, which was a $400 increase, as well as a $1,200 allowance, a $200 increase.
The new indemnity for the mayor would be $8,000, up from $6,000, and allowance for expenses would be $4,000, up from $6,000.
Morrison said, “Every policeman and fireman gets paid more than the mayor.”
Hunt said they felt it was about time for an increase.
“Our council is much smaller and consequently are spending more time on the job, “he said.
Delta council in 2023 approved a salary raise, the first council remuneration adjustment in four years.
The mayor’s base salary increased from $154,264 to $175,264, while councillor salaries increased from $62,788 to $74,399.
Using several other municipalities for a salary comparable, Delta continues to be the largest municipality in the province to employ a mayor and six councillors. It’s normal practice for municipalities with populations over 50,000 to have eight councillors.
“It is important to recognize that council, per the Local Government Act, can be comprised of an additional two (2) councillors. The reduced number of councillors has a resultant reduction in salary costs, however, it also results in an increased workload amongst council members. Remuneration levels should adequately compensate council members for the significant personal time and dedication required to serve in these roles,” a report this year explained.
