Councillor proposes scrapping pay for committee attendance

Vernon city councillor Scott Anderson will propose changes to put a stop to paying elected officials for attending committee meetings.

An email to Vernon Matters from Anderson, who is also running for mayor this fall, stated both mayor and council members are allowed to claim $137 for each committee meeting they attend, which he says is a form of double dipping.

“The fact is, both councillors and mayors are already paid annual salaries of $34,000 (part time) and $94,000 (full time) respectively,” Anderson said in his release. “And part of their duties is to attend both meetings and external functions, so why should we allow double dipping? The salaries are already well above the median income for full and part time jobs in the Okanagan.”

The two-term councillor noted the volunteers who serve on committees do not receive any compensation for their time and work.