The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

2-The z OTI E w T R A F A LG A R R D ' AMERICAN FAGLE s Lok« OUTFITTERS W W W. 0 A K V 1L L E PL A E C O M I _ le Canadian Champion, Friday, JuIy 30, 2004 Couincillors * oget pay raise 0f.5 À By MELANIE HENNESSEY The Champion * Town counicil members voted in favour of giving themselves a three per cent rase at Monday night's meeting, costmng taxpay- ers an extra $7,000 this year. 'e, Ï1ký Ie new pay rate means Mayor Gord Krantz will go from making $44.339 to $45,669 and counicillors from $19,039 to $19,61 0. Council also decided to make the raise retroactive 10 January 1 of this year. A report from Treasurer and Director of Corporate Services Jim McQueen said council salaries were compared to those in other Ontario municipalities, where the average salary is $50,348 for mayors and $2 1,020 for counicillors. A hot topic of the night was whether or flot 10 do away with the 1/3 tax-free allowa.nce counicil members have. Mr. McQueen's report said if the allowa.nce is taken away, salaries could be adjusted 10 $52,650 for mayor and $2 1,450 for counicilloir to compensate. If counicil does make a decision to drop the 1/3 tax-free allowance, it's permanent and can't be reversed," the report said. Wards I and 3 Councillor Barry Lee was ___ o ne of the counicil members that favoured * banishing the tax break. -It's important that we be on a level play- ing field with staff and everyone else," he said. Wards 2 and 4 Councillor Ron Furik dis- L L agreed with Mr. Lee, saymng that counicil can't tell residenîs taxes are going Up because its members are making more money. A motion 10 keep the 1/3 tax-free allowance passed. Mr. McQueen's report also outlined other perks counicil members have, such as a mileage rate of 44.7 cents per km. Counicillors have one 407 transponder 10 share, while Mr. Krantz has a desktop comn- puter, celi phone, 407 transponder and $42934 per month car allowance. Ail counicil members have benefits, cov- ermng life, dental, drugs and vision care, with the premniums being paid for 50/50 by the Town and counicillors. Benefit and expense issues were referred to the 2005 budget preparation discussions. Melanie Hennessev can be reached or mhennessey@miltoncanainchampion.co SRmRtthe oreodtemoe lusoloou o carry ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 'rs amorel o f c o hi g h e n c e s ri s f o u k iv r ox !l b n o c m P a peo le inti*d.r - Sndaoat"iS-I Defne ou Io k his sum er wlt t e ltee I br nd nam s fom thefortng dyeuý%lm n hmf