Mayor Bowman honours his promise to target cost savings at City Hall

Released: November 28, 2014 at 1:45 p.m.
Motions to end hefty political payouts, cut salary top-ups in half, reduce eligible Councillor expenses at next EPC

Winnipeg, MB - Following through on his promise to Winnipeggers to end political payouts, reduce salaries of the highest paid elected officials and impose restrictions on expenses through the Councilor's Representation Allowances, Mayor Brian Bowman today announced that he will be presenting motions on these matters for consideration of Executive Policy Committee (EPC) on December 3rd.

The motions propose:

  • That the Elected Officials Compensation By-law (158/2011) be amended to reduce salary top-ups for members of EPC by 50 per cent and to reduce the Mayor’s salary by an equivalent dollar amount, as well as to reduce salary top-ups for the Deputy Speaker and the Speaker by 50 per cent resulting in savings of more than more than $100,000 annually
  • That the list of eligible expenses from Councillor Representation Allowances be amended to eliminate such expenses as: meal and alcohol expenses related to meetings with City employees, professional sporting events or fees for home internet, basic cable and news channels, or their installation costs, for Councillors’ home offices
  • the elimination of political payouts, referred to inaccurately as severance for elected officials who choose not to seek re-election or who do not win in their election race,

"Severance exists as a cushion for those who lose their jobs, for those who leave them and I believe most Winnipeggers don’t have jobs where when they quit they are rewarded with a hefty payout,” said Mayor Brian Bowman. “On October 22nd, Winnipeggers were clear that they want to see political payouts end at City Hall and I remain steadfast in my commitment that I will never collect a severance payout on the backs of Winnipeggers, and will continue to do all I can to end this practice at City Hall entirely.”

Prior to September 2011, members of Council were not entitled to receive political payouts until an external review of Winnipeg’s Elected Officials’ Compensation proposed members receive three weeks’ worth of salary for every year they serve, up to a maximum of six months’ worth of pay.

Following the last election on October 22nd, the eight outgoing members of Council were entitled to receive, collectively, more than $400,000.

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