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Reader says Wetaskiwin County budget out of control

Salary for CAO 193,515 times 3 per cent COLA = 5,805.45 increase. Can we afford this?

Dear editor,

With all the cutbacks from government freezing wages, private sector rollbacks, layoffs, wage freezes, the County of Wetaskiwin have approved a three per cent cost of living adjustment (COLA) for all salaries and wages for employees. Can we as ratepayers afford this?

From the County of Wetaskiwin’s financial statement Dec. 31, 2014, salary of councilors, CAO and designated officer assessment, here is their 2014 salaries:

Councilors from Div. 1 to Div. 7 salaries 324,980 times 3 per cent COLA = 9,749.40 increase. Can we afford this?

Salary for CAO 193,515 times 3 per cent COLA = 5,805.45 increase. Can we afford this?

Salary designated officer assessment 109,822 times 3 per cent COLA = 3,294.66 increase. Can we afford this?

The cost increase for the seven councilors, CAO and designated officers for assessment is 18,849.51, this is not counting the rest of the county employees. The allowances for councilors, CAO and designated officer assessment is $110,388.

Look at the Pipestone Flyer Thursday, Dec. 24, 2015 page 11, “Wetaskiwin County approves interim 2016 budget.”

We have to question why those we elect to represent us prosper, while those who provide their salaries languish and suffer.

Wayne Maygard, County of Wetaskiwin