Remuneration up for Renfrew County councillors

Steve Newman, Renfrew Mercury

February 7, 2013

The Renfrew County warden was naturally the highest-paid county councillor last year.

Bob Sweet, who still sits on county council as the Petawawa mayor but did not run for an unprecedented sixth term as warden, earned $50,914.63 in 2012.

This included a $25,000 salary, in contrast to his $21,900 warden’s salary in 2011 when his total remuneration for county council work was $46,590.

Salaries for the warden and other county councillors were approved by county council in January 2011. At that time, council also approved increased honorariums for major committee chairs and vice-chairs, and a base salary of $3,000 for each county councillor.

A review by county councillors Walter Stack and Janice Visneskie more than a year ago showed that Renfrew County councillors were the poorest paid in eastern Ontario.

Until the raises were voted in, county councillors received an average remuneration of $5,300, as only four received slightly more than $10,000 in per diems and expense money in 2011.

With each county councillor paid a base salary of $3,000 now, total remuneration for 2012 shows only four county councillors received less than $10,000. This includes gas mileage to and from county council and committee meetings.

Remuneration (for per diems, salary and expenses) paid in 2012 was, in order: Janice Visneskie – Killaloe, Hagarty & Richards, $13,732; Tammy Stewart – Head, Clara & Maria, $13,467; Peter Emon – Greater Madawaska, $12,939.73; Walter Stack – Arnprior, $12,681; Harold Weckworth – North Algona Wilberforce, $12,036; Norm Lentz – Brudenell, Lyndoch & Raglan, $11,679; David Shulist – Madawaska Valley, $11,572; Audrey Green – Renfrew, $11,447; Don Rathwell – Whitewater Region, $11,211; Mary Campbell – McNab-Braeside, $11,086; Raye-Anne Briscoe, Admaston-Bromley, $10,793; Dick Rabishaw, Laurentian Hills, $10,632; David Thompson – Deep River, $9,242; Jennifer Murphy – Bonnechere Valley, $9,078; Don Eady – Horton, $8,916; and Jack Wilson – Laurentian Valley, $8,839.

Pembroke committee members also received remuneration.Mayor Ed Jacyno received $824 for social services committee work, and health committee members Terry O’Neill and Gary Severin received $1,017 each.