I doubt I was in the majority when I was pleased with a town council motion last week to increase remuneration levels for the mayor and councillors.
I felt I had a right to that feeling, having told that same group less than a year ago that I thought it was their responsibility to deal with the remuneration issue during their term, and to not simply pass it on to a future council. Some expressed a preference that a pay increase to keep Creston in line with similarly sized communities in the province should be approved, but only to take effect after the next election (which is still three years away). In their heart of hearts, I think most would have happily not even discussed the issue.
It is, without a doubt, the most discomfiting issue that any elected body faces. No one likes giving the appearance that they are using a position of trust to line their own pockets. That said, though, elected officials are put into their positions so they will make decisions, often difficult, and to weather the fallout from those who disagree. No one put it better than Harry S. Truman: If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.
When council discussed the issue earlier in its term they learned that no changes had been made to remuneration levels since 2008, which means salaries had not kept up with cost of living changes. To put the decision off, or to make a decision and defer it, until after the next election meant that it would be 2018, or a full decade, before the issue was dealt with.
My line of thinking followed several paths. First, I want councils to deal with the day-to-day business of governing in a timely manner, regardless of how uncomfortable it makes them feel. Second, I think it is unreasonable to foist a decision onto a future council. Third, I think it is important that elected people be reasonably compensated for their efforts. I don’t like to think that the lack of even a modest compensation might dissuade potential candidates from seeking these offices. It is a large commitment of time and energy, and one that reduces their ability to live quiet lives. The public sees elected officials as fair game for comment and criticism wherever they might be — just ask any councillor if he or she can go grocery shopping without being questioned or engaged in conversation.
I was startled to learn recently that many local government officials in the U.S. serve with no remuneration at all. The concept of a volunteer or “a dollar a year man” might look good on paper, but I think it delivers many unhealthy messages. Doesn’t it become easy to reject public comments or criticism with, “I’m a volunteer. I do whatever I wish and don’t have to explain why because I don’t get paid for this job”? Do capable, busy, productive people, especially in their prime earning years, really want to donate that much of their time? Do unpaid people really have enough authority to manage the managers, whose unspoken response to direction might be less than positive?
Personally, I prefer a system that reimburses, modestly, elected people for the work they do. The current mayor, like his predecessor, has chosen to make the position a full-time one. I don’t believe a town of 5,000 needs a full-time mayor, but I have no quarrel with the hours they work because neither has ever advocated for a full-time equivalent salary. At about $2,000 a month, I think we get amazing effort from Ron Toyota, like we did from Joe Snopek before him (and certainly from Creston’s gold standard mayor, Lela Irvine). And for about $1,000 a month, I think that every councillor at the table provides excellent value to taxpayers who want their concerns to be heard and all issues discussed thoroughly and honestly.
When we cast our ballots we are, in effect, participating in a hiring process. It is also a firing process, because collectively we can dismiss an employee we are unsatisfied with. And, because we pay these folks, we feel comfortable in taking up their time so they can hear our opinions and concerns. Fair remuneration doesn’t always mean we get exactly what we want, but I am convinced it helps give us better government.
Lorne Eckersley is the publisher of the Creston Valley Advance.