Councillors expensed over $11k in hotel accommodations last year

New Tecumseth Free Press March 4, 2013 

New Tecumseth councillors cost ratepayers $322,000 in 2012 according to the annual filing of remunerations and expenses that’s on tonight’s agenda.

Mayor Mike MacEachern, whose paid a basic annual salary of $34,495, and $4,388 in health benefits, topped out when all expenses are factored in, at $46,010.

Next up, deputy mayor Rick Milne, with a basic salary of $25,989, also received $4,390 in lieu of health benefits, ended the year at $37,836.

Ward councillors are each paid a base of $20,163. Bob Marrs, Fran Sainsbury, and Jim Stone also took payments in lieu of health benefits of $4,390, while the rest of council health benefits were $4,388 each. Ward 6 councillor Richard Norcross led the council totals at $31,969, followed closely by Ward 7 councillor at $31,249.

Ward 8 councillor Jim Stone was at the low end at $27,254, slightly less than Ward 4 councillor Fran Sainsbury at $27,313.

Eight of the councillors were paid a car allowance of $600. The mayor claimed $1,026 in mileage, while Ward 7 councillor Bruce Haire claimed $1,474.

It cost $11,622 to pay for hotel accommodations for councillors attending out of town conventions including The Rural Ontario Municipalities Association and the Ontario Good Roads Association held at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto Feb. 26-28, 2012 (councillors just returned from the 2013 convention). At the top was Ward 6 councillor Richard Norcross who claimed $2,635 for accommodations to attend weekend long conventions held in Toronto and Ottawa (AMO). Next was deputy mayor Milne at $2,033. Mayor MacEachern and Mr. Marrs, also booked hotel rooms costing over $1,000.

Ms. Sainsbury and Mr. Stone, did not attend out of town conventions in 2012.

Equipping councillors with Blackberries and telephones cost $8,813, with Mr. Milne at $1,550, Mr. Norcross at $1,304 the mayor at $1,201, and Mr. Marrs at $1,018.

Eight of 10 councillors put in a claim for the $20 it cost to host The Mayor’s Breakfast event held March 7, 2012. Mayor MacEachern also claimed $20 to attend his event.

Next to be disclosed before the end of the month, is the list of public servants, including municipal, county, hospital, and school board staff making $100,000 or more a year.