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 automatically 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 2020 increase is 0.57%.
The following are the fully-taxable annual salaries for Members of Council in 2020:
| Mayor | $206,511.29 |
| Councillors | $116,672.11 |
The 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.
| 2016 | 2017 | Fully Taxable Salary Effective October 24, 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | $177,695 | 1$173,269 | $200,747 | 2$200,586.51 | $205,340.41 |
| Councillors | $100,873 | 1$98,362 | $113,416 | 2$113, 325.78 | $116,011.60 |
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% - automatic annual adjustment applied.
Benefits
|
City of Edmonton Contribution
|
Council Member Contribution | |
|---|---|---|
| Supplementary Health Care Plan | 70% | 30% |
| Dental Plan | 65% | 35% |
| Long Term Disability | 0% | 100% |
| Life Insurance | 50% | 50% |
Members of Council receive an annual $500 within a Health Care Spending Account.
Vehicle Allowance
Members of Council receive a vehicle allowance to offset transportation costs associated with fulfilling their duties within the City of Edmonton and the Edmonton Metropolitan Region.
| Mayor | $1,204.78 per month (or the choice of a City-owned vehicle) |
|---|---|
| Councillors | $601.35 per month |
Effective the first pay period ending in July and each year thereafter, car allowance amounts will be indexed by the increase or decrease in the City of Edmonton mileage rate from January 1st of the previous year to January 1st of the current year.
Retirement Benefit
Members of Council have the option to participate in one of the following retirement 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
Fully taxable payment provided on conclusion of their service, equal to three weeks salary for each year served, to a maximum of 36 weeks.
Parking
Members of Council are provided with parking permits for reserved stalls in City Hall.
Transit Passes
Members of Council are offered City transit passes and may or may not choose to accept them.
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; no elected officials sit on the ICCC.
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 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.
The 2020 Independent Council Compensation Committee is currently reviewing future Council remuneration effective after the October 2021 municipal election, and will provide recommendations to Council by December 31, 2020.
2017 Council Compensation Review Final Report