It may be time mayor of Sylvan Lake is considered a full-time job, said a town councillor on Monday.
Sean McIntyre said the mayor is expected to available at most times and has a full workload considering the position’s role advocating on behalf of the community and acting as a liaison with the province.
“I think the time has come for Sylvan Lake to make that consideration,” McIntyre said of the prospect of turning the position full-time and bumping up compensation accordingly.
However, the woman holding the mayor’s job was not so sure.
“I think statistics will show that communities of our size don’t have full-time mayors,” said Susan Samson.
The compensation mayor and councillors receive doesn’t come close to a wage for the positions, which should be seen as community service.
Turning the job into a full-time position may also deter residents who have other jobs from considering running, she added.
Sylvan Lake’s mayor is paid $2,494 per month and councillors receive $1,157. They are also paid $240 for full-day meetings and $120 for half-day meetings and $50 for council-sanctioned meetings.
Council approved at Monday’s council meeting the members of a five-citizen remuneration committee to review compensation this year.
l Sylvan Lake residents can participate in the annual head count online this year. Personal identification numbers will be assigned to each household and beginning April 19 residents can fill out the online census. Enumerators will make the rounds from May 1-31. Homes that have provided information online will be crossed off the list.