Council Approves 26% Pay Hikes

Lumby’s mayor says the percentage may seem high to some, but he feels pay raises for his council are justified.

Council has approved pay hikes that amount to 26%, raising the mayor’s pay $16,450 (up $3,415), and the four councillors to $8,755 each (up $1,849).

Mayor Kevin Acton says it’s the first real increases in 10 years, other than cost of living which was added a few years ago, and the numbers also include compensation to reflect changes to federal income tax rules that remove the one-third salary tax exemption benefit in January.

Acton says the figures are based on a survey of 13 other similar sized communities that showed the average salary for their mayors is $16,450 and $8,766 for councillors.