Independent Council Compensation Committees were established in 2006, 2012 and 2017 to review and make recommendations on Council remuneration. History and reports are linked below.
Salaries
Salaries of members of Council are adjusted effective the first pay period of each year. The percentage increase or decrease is calculated using the percentage change in the 12 month average of the Alberta Average Weekly Earnings values from September of the previous year against the same value for the year prior, as reported by Statistics Canada. This method is based on the recommendations of the Independent Council Compensation Committees (see history below). The 2019 increase is 2.37%.
Following are fully-taxable annual salaries that Members of Council are eligible to receive in 2019:
| Mayor | $205,340.41 |
| Councillors | $116,011.60 |
Following is an outline of previous years’ salaries. Prior to October 24, 2017, salaries of the Mayor and Councillors were one-third tax exempt. On August 29, 2017, Council approved the recommendation of the 2017 Independent Council Compensation Committee to have salaries made fully taxable, following the October 2017 municipal election.
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | Fully Taxable Salary Effective October 24, 2017 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | $169,681 | $176,145 | $177,695 | 1$173,269 | $200,747 | 2$200,586.51 |
| Councillors | $96,323 | $99,994 | $100,873 | 1$98,362 | $113,416 | 2$113, 325.78 |
1Before Council reduced their salaries to the post October 24, 2017 amount, the fully taxable equivalents were $218,199.94 (Mayor) and $116,728.60 (Councillors).
2In 2018, Council salaries decreased by 0.08%.
Benefits
| City of Edmonton | Council Member | |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta Health | 0% | 0% |
| Major Medical | 70% | 30% |
| Dental Plan | 65% | 35% |
| Long Term Disability | 0% | 100% |
| Life Insurance | 50% | 50% |
All members of Council receive an annual $500 flexible Health Care Spending Account.
Vehicle Allowance
| Mayor | $1,204.78 per month (or the choice of a City-owned vehicle) |
|---|---|
| Councillors | $601.35 per month |
Vehicle allowance (fully taxable) amounts are indexed by the increase or decrease in the City of Edmonton mileage rate from January 1 of the previous year to January 1 of the current year. The change becomes effective in July of each year.
Retirement Benefit
Members of Council have the option to participate in one of the following retirement contribution options:
a. 11% contribution by the City of Edmonton to elected official's total annual salary to support retirement; or
b. 12% contribution by the City of Edmonton directed to Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) Defined Contribution Pension Plan.
Transition Allowance
The City of Edmonton Members of Council will be provided with a transition allowance, upon the conclusion of their service, equal to three weeks' salary for each year served, to a maximum of 36 weeks. If the transition allowance was paid out prior to January 1, 2019 (when the Revenue Canada change occurs), it will be one-third tax free. If the transition allowance is paid out after January 1, 2019, it will be fully taxable.
Parking
Members of Council are provided with parking permits for reserved stalls in City Hall, valued at $3,780.00 per year. Councillors receive complimentary parking at Stanley Milner Library or Canada Place parkades. They are also provided with complimentary permits for metered parking on City-owned property and restricted residential parking.
Transit Passes
Members of Council are offered City transit passes and may or may not choose to accept them. They are valued at $97 per month ($1,164 per year).
Employee Savings and Discounts
Members of Council may take advantage of savings and discounts offered to all City employees, including a 50% discount for admission to City recreation facilities.
Independent Council Compensation Committee History and Reports
An Independent Council Compensation Committee (ICCC) is established every two Council terms to review and make recommendations on the remuneration provided to Members of Council. This Committee is comprised of public members to serve as the public's voice; no elected officials sit on the ICCC. The next ICCC will be established in 2020.
In 2017, City Council specially convened the ICCC with a narrow mandate to review the salaries of Mayor and Councillors in light of economic changes and recent federal tax legislation eliminating the non-taxable option. The ICCC recommended a decrease in the fully taxable salaries as follows:
- for Mayor from $218,200 to $200,747
- for Councillors from $116,729 to $113,416
Council passed this recommendation.
2017 Council Compensation Review Final Report