At last week’s meeting, and after approving a new portfolio-based governance structure, councillors considered remuneration for the next 12 months.
Otago Regional Council chairwoman Hilary Calvert is set to earn $173,309 per annum by the independent Remuneration Authority, leaving $863,476 to be allocated among the remaining members.
Based on a model from the authority, and accepted by councillors, deputy chairman Kevin Malcolm will receive $105,006 per annum and remaining elected members $75,847.
Cr Michael Laws asked if the pay rates, which are yet to be approved by the authority, were reviewed in 12 months, as details about the portfolio structure were expected to be confirmed at a later council meeting.
"I'm worried that some of the work burden of this council may fall unequally on councillors," Cr Laws said. "I'm happy to go with the general principle, but I do think that if certain councillors in the next 12 months are given a greater work burden that frankly should be recognised in the way in which we pay them."
He said most other councils made a differentiation in the salaries of members who had additional responsibilities.
In reply, Cr Calvert said: "if anyone looks like they're not doing their share because they haven't been allocated their share and it comes to my attention, that will be addressed".
The minimum allowable remuneration is $61,677.
Strategy and customer general manager Amanda Vercoe said remuneration had been updated following last month’s election.
In July, councillors accepted rates per annum of $164,562 for the chairperson, $98,355 for their deputy, $76,963 for co-chairs of a committee (now replaced by the portfolio structure) and a minimum allowable remuneration of $54,717.
Ms Vercoe said the council could review the allocation at any point and the council would receive another report when the new determination was released by the Remuneration Authority in a year. Councillors accepted the report.
