Council amends benefits policy

Town councillors once again may get their health benefits package paid for in addition to their total salary after agreeing last night to amend the remuneration bylaw with the intention to vote on the revised version at their July 26 meeting.
But whether councillors will be getting what they rightly deserve or just getting a “36 percent pay increase,” as Coun. Roy Avis said at Monday night’s regular meeting, remains hotly-debated among them.
Coun. Neil Kabel had requested the issue of remuneration be brought back to the table for reconsideration by the new council, after the previous one had changed the bylaw so councillors who chose to participate in the town’s benefits package have to pay for it out of their salaries.
This would mean that in addition to their $10,000 salaries (the mayor’s salary is about $21,000), councillors would see their $3,600 health benefits plan paid for. Currently, if they choose to have the benefits, they pay for it out of their salary.
Coun. Kabel said remuneration had been discussed “at length” by Mayor Dan Onichuk and some other councillors, and they felt it was appropriate the matter now be addressed.
“We felt it fair that ‘remuneration’ is being paid for what we do. And ‘benefits’ is just that—something that we can take advantage of if so necessary,” he added.
But Coun. Avis, who pushed for the previous council to review the bylaw last year, said the reason it was changed is that not all councillors benefited equally from it.
For instance, if a councillor already was part of a group plan with their place of business, then went off that plan to be part of the town’s benefits package for their term on council, and became ill in the meantime, they might not get back onto their old plan once their term is over.
He added this sets a difference for the individual councillors in remuneration, as those that opt not to go under the town’s benefit plan do not get paid anything more than those who do.
“Why do need to leave your other group?” asked Mayor Dan Onichuk.
“Oh, I don’t have to,” responded Coun. Avis. “But then does it become fair there’s a $3,600 difference in value?
“Where some councillors are going to vote for a 36 percent pay increase tonight and others aren’t going to receive anything?” he argued.
“There was a benefits package that was provided for many, many, many, many years until the previous outgoing council made this change,” countered Mayor Onichuk.
“I don’t think we have to review it. This is something that was in the budget, it was budgeted for,” he added.
“As opposed to having a long debate about it, we should just move forward and do a vote to have the benefits’ cost covered, as with the previous council.”
Coun. Todd Hamilton said he had questions regarding whether councillors should be considered town employees or not, and thus be eligible for the same benefits as other town employees.
But Coun. Kabel said, “We’re paid a salary to do an elected official’s job for the Town of Fort Frances. I consider myself an employee. It’s a benefit package. If you need it, take it. It’s not remuneration.
“Yes, it’s an option and all the employees of the Town of Fort Frances have that option.”
“I don’t know about that. I’d beg to differ,” said Coun. Avis.
“I do have a bad taste in my mouth. I don’t want the people of Fort Frances to consider this as us requesting a 36 percent pay increase,” said Coun. Rick Wiedenhoeft.
“What we’re doing is reinstating the benefits that were always traditionally available and given to councillors of Fort Frances,” he added. “And to put it that we’re requesting a 36 percent remuneration increase, I believe, is unfair.”
Mayor Onichuk and Couns. Kabel, Struchan Gilson, and Wiedenhoeft voted in favour of amending the remuneration bylaw while Couns. Avis and Hamilton voted against it.
The bylaw will be voted on at July 26 council meeting.
But Coun. Tannis Drysdale, who was in Thunder Bay at newly-elected MP Ken Boshcoff’s campaign headquarters Monday night, said Tuesday morning she definitely would not vote in favour of the bylaw at the July 26 meeting.
“If it passes, and I receive any benefits, I’ll write a cheque back to the town,” she remarked. “We’re not employees of the Town of Fort Frances.”
She added that “given the financial position of the town,” councillors giving themselves “a raise” was “inappropriate.”
Also at Monday night’s meeting, council:
•referred a joint request for financial support from the Fort Frances High School Athletic Department and Muskie Touchdown Club for corporate sponsorships to offset costs for a professional pre-season exhibition hockey game Oct. 8, 2004 in Fort Frances to the Administration and Finance executive committee for a recommendation;
•referred a request from Paul Bock to increase taxi cab rates here to the Planning and Development executive committee for a recommendation;
•referred a request from Craig Sanders regarding consideration and response to three building issues at 604 Stewart St. to the Planning and Development executive committee for a recommendation;
•referred a memorandum from municipal planner Faye Flatt regarding a zoning amendment at 780 King’s Highway to the Planning and Development executive committee for a recommendation; and
•accepted an invitation from the Township of La Vallee to attend the opening ceremony for its centennial celebrations on Saturday, July 3 at the Devlin ball park (Mayor Onichuk will be attending).
(Fort Frances Daily Bulletin)