Dear editor,
I find this very disturbing and insulting to ratepayers for the huge wage increases these (County of Wetaskiwin) employees gave received.
In 2013 County of Wetaskiwin reeve wages were $43,885, then in 2014 wages were $53,327. This is an increase of $9,442 or 21.516 per cent increase. No one I know receives this high of a raise. This doesn’t include benefits and allowances. This is unacceptable.
In 2011 the County of Wetaskiwin’s designated officer for assessment wages were $65,029, then in 2012 wages were $101,141, this is a $36,112 increase, or 55.531 per cent increase. Subsequent to 2012 he received additional 21 per cent over the next four years. This doesn’t include benefits and allowances. This is also unacceptable.
In 2014 County of Wetaskiwin chief administrative officer wages were $193,515, then in 2015 wages were $226,806. This is $33,291 increase, or 17.203 per cent. N one I know gets this kind of increase, especially in the economic times we are in. This doesn’t include benefits and allowances. This is also unacceptable.
In 2015 the chief administrative retired and per his employment contract received $168,870, then was rehired under a new contract for the same position. This also is unacceptable.
I feel that the previous councilors should have been more accountable to the ratepayers. There is a complete disrespect to the ratepayers who are paying for the big increases.
There should be meetings with ratepayers and councilors so the ratepayers can have input into making decisions on issues that will affect them. Check out County of Wetaskiwin #10 consolidated financial statements.
Wayne Maygard,
County of Wetaskiwin
Editor’s note: The Pipestone Flyer contacted the County of Wetaskiwin the week of Apr. 6, as Maygard’s letter raises many questions readers would probably like answered. County CAO Rod Hawken responded with the following information: The reeve salary grid for 2013 was $49, 831 and councilor was $42,696. The reeve salary grid for 2014 was $51,077 and councilor was $43,763, a 2.5 per cent increase. Per diem payments for some committee work would bring it to $53,327. In 2010 assessor Pat Dumont passed away and in 2011 he was replaced by the current assessor part way through 2011; 2012 would have been his first full year. The 2010 assessor grid was $98,053 and the 2012 assessor grid was $104,530, an increase of 6.6 per cent over two years. Terms of the CAO contract are confidential but resulted in payout of accumulated vacation leave as well as retirement clauses from 32 years of service. The 2014 CAO grid was $193,515 and the 2015 CAO grid was $199,320, a three per cent increase.