By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
The expenses and remuneration paid to Northumberland County councillors and alternates in 2023 came to a total of $253,088.42, Director of Finance Matthew Nitsch reported at the March meeting of council’s Finance and Audit committee.
The good news is, that covers all seven municipalities’ councillors and alternates.
The even better news is that the amount is under budget, and the savings of $17,963 will be transferred to the county General Reserve for use at a future date.
The news came in a report delivered by Nitsch, in compliance with Municipal Act regulations that require an annual statement of remuneration and expenses paid to each member of council during the previous year by the end of March of the following year.
Each councillor had remuneration under four categories – salary, per diem benefits, other benefits (which are the statutory deductions taken from one’s salary), and mileage and conferences.
Warden Mandy Martin earned $53,347.86 in salary, $5,100 in per diem, $1,139.74 in other benefits, and $10,324.03 in mileage and conferences for a total of $69,811.63.
Deputy Warden Brian Ostrander earned $26,032.02 in salary, $3,000 in per diem, $2,085.09 in other benefits, and $6,607.83 in mileage and conferences for a total of $37,724.94.
For the remaining councillors, a salary of $21,692.63 applied, with the other three streams of remunration added in.
Trent Hills councillor Robert Crate received $1,700 in per diem, $446.19 in other benefits, and $456.19 in mileage and conferences for a total of $27,076,91.
Alnwick-Haldimand Township councillor John Logel received $4,600 in per diem, $512.74 in other benefits, and $2,877.60 in mileage and conferences for a total of $29,682.97.
Hamilton Township councillor Scott Jibb received $1,800 in per diem, $1,645.71 in other benefits, and $601.49 in mileage and conferences for a total of $25,739.83.
Cobourg councillor Lucas Cleveland received $1,800 in per diem, $1,645.71 in other benefits, and $4,074,73 in mileage and conferences for a total of $29,213.07.
Port Hope councillor Olena Hankivsky received $1,900 in per diem, $1,653.61 in other benefits, and $6,618.26 in mileage and conferences for a total of $31,864.50.
Alternates received no salary, but were eligible for the other streams of remuneration.
Port Hope alternate Todd Attridge received $100 in per diem, $1.95 in other benefits, and $11.56 in mileage and conferences for a total of $113.51.
Brighton alternate Ron Anderson received $500 in per diem, $9.75 in other benefits, and $183.60 in mileage and conferences for a total of $693.35.
Cramahe Township alternate Sandra Arthur received $100 in per diem and $1.95 in other benefits for a total of $101.95.
Hamilton Township alternate Larry Williamson received $100 in per diem, $1.95 in other benefits, and $8.84 in mileage and conferences for a total of $100.79.
Trent Hills alternate Michael Metcalf received $100 in per diem, $1.95 in other benefits, and $66.64 in mileage and conferences for a total of $168.59.
Alnwick-Haldimand Township alternate Joan Stover received $300 in per diem, $5.85 in other benefits, and $69.36 in mileage and conferences for a total of $375.21.
Cobourg alternate Nicole Beatty received $300 in per diem, $5.85 in other benefits, and $5.32 in mileage and conferences for a total of $311.17.
In all, $187,843.03 was paid in salaries, $21,400 in per diem, $9,168.04 in other benefits, and $34,667.35 in mileage and conferences.
