Councillors discuss fees

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 22, 28 October 1986, Page 5

Councillors discuss fees

Ohakunes new Borough Council recently discussed at length the matter of payment for their attendance at council and committee meetings. Re-elected councillor Ellen Gould told the meeting that councillors should be entitled to receive the maximum allowance for their time and effort. She moved that they accept $35 per meeting as permitted under local government legislation. This motion was opposed by several other councillors including Cr Errol Sue who

moved that the allowance be set at $20 per meeting for both attending councillors and chairmen of committees. Cr Gould made the point that people such as solo parents and people with young families could not afford to stand for council because the allowance they received would not make it worth their while. She commented that councillors had the right to donate the money back to borough committees if they wanted, but they should also have the right to earn the maximum allowance to keep if they wished.

Cr Sue's motion to make the maximum allowance $20 was seconded and carried, despite Cr Gould's strenuous objections. The $20 allowance is still an increase on recerlt times, with councillors receiving $12 for each meeting attended last term. Chairmen of committees received slightly more than councillors last term, $16 for each meeting. Ohakune Mayor Bill Taylor will continue to receive an honorarium of $7500 after councillors voted on the matter.