Councillors set their pay

Ruapehu Bulletin, 10 November 1992, Page 5

Councillors set their pay

Ruapehu's mayor is to be paid the maximum allowable for his next term of office - $40,000 per annum. Mayor Workman left the room while councillors discussed the matter, and all agreed he should be paid as much as the legislation allowed. "Ruapehu's mayor is one of the most underpaid in the country considering the vast size of the

district, the kind of mileage he has to cover and the workload he faces," said Cr Eddie Turley in supporting the top salary. "As far as the community in the south is concerned we are very proud of what he has done," said Cr Bob Peck in support of the motion. "The thing we like most about him is that he is a district

man." Councillors agreed that they should be paid $3000 per annum with a meeting allowance of $85 (maximum allowable); the deputy mayor's salary was set at the maximum of $10,000; committee chairmen's salaries were set at $5000 (of a maximum of $10,000). The Local Government

legislation forced a change in payment system for community board members, who previously were paid no salary and $85 per meeting. The council was told the law stated they must be paid a minimum of 10 per cent of the salary available ($3000). The council decided to pay board members $500 salary plus $50 per meeting. This

would equate to a similar total to the old system, councillors were told. Cr John Compton felt board members should be paid the maximum, considering the council's plan to give them more work. But the council agreed that the system could be reviewed annually and if the board 's workload had increased then changes made.