Quinte West council to do pay review

By Tahreem Fatima

BELLEVILLE –Quinte West council will be discussing how much councillors get paid at Monday’s council meeting.

The council will be meeting at 6 pm to discuss the staff report that compares the council’s remuneration to several other communities with similar populations in
the region and the province.

The report suggests the amounts paid to the mayor and councillors is on the lower end of the overall scale.

The mayor of Quinte West receives $59,000 and councillors $23,600 a year. In Belleville the mayor is paid $81,000 plus benefits and councillors receive $28,000.

City of Quinte West staff is also recommending council “opt in” and allow retail cannabis stores in the community if the opportunity arises.

A survey on retail cannabis outlets in Quinte West received 1,269 responses with almost 80% being in favour of stores selling recreational marijuana.

Some of the other agenda items to be discussed in the council are the new strategic plan for the city and the 2019 Health and Safety policy.

City staff is also suggesting council not approve the freezing of water and sewer rates, saying it would hurt the utility’s financial viability as costs rise each year.