Councillor Keith McGrath is the latest to add his name to the members of council who will not accept a pay raise approved at Tuesday night’s council meeting.
The by-law includes an option for members to refuse the extra pay which would be an increase to $75,000 a year for part-time councillors and an increase to $150,000 for the three councillors sitting on the Wood Buffalo Recovery Committee as well as the Mayor.
Mayor Melissa Blake and Councillors Tyran Ault and Jane Stround are also refusing the additional payment, all three of whom voted against the by-law Tuesday.
“Compensation for those is why I supported the increase,” McGrath wrote in an emailed statement. “As stated on June 14th my amending motion allows for other (sic) not to take an increase as everyone has a different situation which is why I elected not to take an increase.”
McGrath is one of the three members who will sit on the Wood Buffalo Recovery Committee.
“As one of the tree (sic) members selected by me (sic) colleagues I am deeply committed to the recovery and rebuild of our community my home for over 30 years,” he wrote. “I stand behind everyone stand lost their homes and memories, to those awaiting to re enter their standing homes once clear by the chief medical officer.”
McGrath said he will do everything in his power to work with all stakeholders to ensure that the recovery and rebuild puts residents first, and to ensure no resident falls through the cracks during the recovery period.
The committee was set to have begun work Wednesday toward adding six community members to its ranks and selecting a chair and vice-chair in addition to the work needed for the recovery effort.
