High River's next council will have something to look forward to after the election this fall.

Whoever is successful in their run for the High River town council in the Oct. 18 election will be getting a bit more money than the current councillors do.

As they do just before each municipal election, the town's administration brought forward recommendations for the councillors to consider.

It was explained that administration looks at 15 other communities for comparison and pares that down to five communities with similar populations in making their recommendations.

Right now the mayor receives $61,515 annually while each councillor gets $30,757.

Base salaries will remain the same, but increases in mileage compensation, as well as a cost of living adjustment in line with what town staff gets, were recommended.

Per diems, particularly for meetings outside the town such as those with provincial officials, are being adjusted in consideration of the length of the meetings.

They'll receive $125 for a meeting up to four hours, $225 for meetings between four and eight hours, and $350 for meetings over eight hours.

The mayor and council members are not paid to attend council meetings or board meetings where they are council representatives.

 

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