Council appoints ad-hoc committee
By Dan Jensen

City council has appointed Augustana dean Roger Epp, Camrose Chamber of Commerce incoming president Shauna Feth, and lawyer/former councillor Larry Johnson to an ad-hoc committee that will review and provide recommendations in regard to the current Council Support Policy.

The Council Support Policy, adopted on May 12, 2008, sets honorarium for  the mayor and councillors at $28,862.00 and $12,701.82 per annum respectively. It also provides a per diem for out of city meetings (AUMA, mid-sized Mayors' Caucus, Northern Alberta Municipalities Caucus, FCM, Elected Officials Symposium and others) of $150 per day or $75 per half day, mileage for out of city trips at the current Canada Revenue Agency Vehicle Expense Rates, reimbursement to a maximum of  $50 per day for meals, and other benefits, including life insurance, Workers' Compensation, Alberta Health and Extended Health, and the Employee and Family Assistance Program.

"The policy provides that, unless specifically dealt with, mayor and council remuneration is determined by applying the same general increases as may be granted to full-time, non-union personnel of the City of Camrose," said City manager of corporate and protective services Damian Herle in a report presented to council January 25.

City of Camrose administration will provide the committee with any support and assistance it needs in making inquiries about Council Support Policies in other communities.

An update of the Council Support Policy is required as part of the City of Camrose Strategic Plan. The committee's recommendation is expected not later than April 30. The implementation date for any changes Council decides to make based on the recommendation(s) would be January 1, 2011.

"Some municipalities consider the Council Support Policy at their annual fall organizational meeting and Council could table this report until that time," said Herle.

The citizens of Camrose will be electing a new City council in October.