It was interesting to read the process used by Abbotsford council to determine honorarium increases for mayor and council members.
Certainly I support the notion that these people be provided reasonable remuneration for leadership to their community.
It was also gratifying to read (Coun.) Bill MacGregor’s reservations associated with the increases when there are so many tax payers with empty pockets. People are careless with other people’s money and politicians are notorious in spending more than they should.
Unfortunately, the adopted approach by council to base an increase on the average of 10 comparator districts is simply wrong. It is the typical union mentality where remuneration disregards accomplishment. Even though many political organizations follow this pattern it is becoming “old school,” and models based on performance are gaining traction.
Given Abbotsford’s reputation for accountability and leadership, isn’t it time to choose a different approach where politicians receive compensation according to achievement of their targets? Such an accountability approach keeps them on their toes all of the time and might ameliorate to some extent MacGregor’s concerns.
Simply, if council actually achieves what they publicly set out to accomplish, then they really are serving the community well and actually adding value to the quality of life in this community.
The old approach of putting them in their chairs for three years without attaching some type of an accountability mechanism during that time period is no longer acceptable.
There ought to be some element of payment that is put at risk and based on performance rather than continuing with a model that disregards achievement.
Jim Dueck
