Councillors set their pay rates

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 613, 21 November 1995, Page 3

Councillors set their pay rates

At the last meeting of the Ruapehu District Council in Taumarunui (the first full meeting of the new council following last month' s local body elections j the following payments to district councillors and community board members were approved. Mayor ($42,000), Deputy Mayor ($10,500), District Councillor ($3,150), Community Board Chairman ($2,625), Community Board Member who is not a District Councillor ($525). The following meeting allowances were also approved: Mayor (Nil); Deputy Mayor and District Councillors ($90) ; Community Board Chairman and Members ($52.50). All the above remunerations are subject to PAYE tax. Councillors also agreed to accept the current Public Service Mileage Rates to cover travel expenses when using their own pri vate motor vehicles on council business (56cents per km for the first 3000km and 19cents per km thereafter) until the new rates are implemented by the Inland Revenue Department on 1 April next year. A decision on remuneration had been deferred at the new Ruapehu District Council' s first meeting..

Councillors had decided there was not enough time available to discuss their remuneration, which includes meeting allowances and travel expenses. During the short discussion that did take place Cr Joe Murphy (Ohura) said he had campaigned as a mayoral candidate in the recent elections on the basis of cutting council costs and that he believed this could now be achieved for several reasons, including the fact that with the election of a northern mayor, Weston Kirton, there would be less travelling costs for him to attend meetings. He also cited the use of cell-phones, faxes and other telecommunications equipment as a means of avoiding unnecessary travel to attend meetings in such a large geographical district. Cr Bob Vine (Waiouru) said he would be disadvantaged under new rules. As one of the councillors farthest away from Taumarunui Cr Vine logs the most mileage. The IRD has reviewed travel expense claims. Chief executi ve Cliff Houston said all councillors would be disadvantaged by the new ruling. Turn to Page 6

Councillors set their pay

FROM PAGE 3 Until now councillors' travel expenses have been paid at a rate of 56 cents per kilometre for the first 3000km then 19 cents per km over and above 3000km. However this scale has recently been reviewed by the IRD and a kilometre scale of much lesser value (as yet unspecified) will be the only system the department is prepared to allow under the non-taxable reimbursement regime.