Central Council votes for some form of compensation for councilors for losing 1/3 tax free status

Craig Bakay | Oct 10, 2018

One way or another, it certainly looks like Central Frontenac Taxpayers will be compensating Council members for the loss of the 1/3 tax free benefit.

Council passed a resolution at its regular meeting this week in Sharbot Lake for staff to come back with a recommendation as to whether this should be done as a straight compensation increment or whether some form of per diem for meetings should be established.

Central Frontenac is the only municipality of 13 compared for this study that does not have some form of per diem.

Treasurer Michael McGovern said that the loss of the 1/3 tax free benefit would cost the mayor $1,700 per year, the deputy mayor $853 and each councilor $600.

A couple of things were decided, however.

The mayor’s salary will increase by $1,300 in 2019 to bring it to the median level of the 13 municipalities compared.

The deputy mayor’s salary will be 10 per cent higher that of a councilor beginning in 2019.

The base rate of councilors will not be adjusted because at the rate of $14,300, it is close to the median of $14,200.

The Township will continue the practice of adjusting the mayor and councilor compensation to reflect the Consumer Price Index as well as the policy of not supplying group insurance and employee benefits to members of Council.

“I think we need to have a compensation package that will attract young people to want to be on Council,” said Coun. Bill MacDonald.

“I think out-of-pocket expenses like printer paper and ink cartridges should be compensated,” said Coun. Tom Dewey.

“That’s a separate issue,” said Mayor Frances Smith.

“We’re just trying to have the same situation in 2019 as we’ve had in 2018 and 2017,” said Coun. Brent Cameron.

Manatory Septic inspection is here!
Council passed a bylaw to enter into an agreement with the Mississippi-Rideau Valley Septic System office to deliver a septic system inspection program. The bylaw also outlines fees to homeowners for the inspection and penalties for non-payment.

The mandatory re-inspection program will apply to all the properties on Crow Lake, Eagle Lake, Hungry Lake, Silver Lake and the west basin of Sharbot Lake.

Fenick asks for $67 grand for hospital

Representing the Hospital Core Capital Program which services both the Smiths Falls and Perth Hospitals, Perth Mayor John Fenik was at Council requesting a donation from Central Frontenac for its capital equipment in the amount of $63,073. Fenik said they’d also be going to North Frontenac Council to ask for $33,266.

No asbestos at Pic Hall
Acting Chief Building official Alan Revill told Council that after inspection, Piccadilly Hall has no asbestos that has to be removed and the renovation project will proceed to tender. He also said the project to replace the stairs at Oso will be proceeding to tender once the drawings are received from Roney Engineering. Public Works is expected to replace sidewalk along Garrett Street after Oct. 23.

Building tops $8 million
Construction value to date in 2018 is $8,641,226 on 121 permits resulting in $121,887 in permit fees.

“Those are good numbers,” said Mayor Frances Smith.

They are up considerably from the same time period in 2017 when there was $6,811,860 in construction value on 103 permits that generated $96,918 in permit fees. The upward trend in construction seems to have legs as well. 2017 was a better year than 2016 and 2016 was significantly better than 2015. Permits for 25 new residential units have been taken out thus far in 2018.