Determined town councillor Alex Reed garnered enough support to reverse council's position on increasing wages for those elected in 2021.

In a close 4-3 vote, council backtracked on its previous decision to increase the remuneration and expense reimbursement package to $41,832 in 2021.

Compensation provided to councillors in 2018 averaged $34,285.

While finalizing the budget, Reed asked for a separate vote on the wages.

"Some of our citizens are really hurting financially, and so I remain in opposition to council's increase in terms of salary at this time," he said.

He gained the support of Mayor Jeff Genung, Patrick Wilson, and Morgan Nagel. In the last vote, only Nagel sided with him.

Councillors Susan Flowers, Marni Fedeyko and Tara McFadden wanted the increase to stand.

It was argued, those elected in 2021 can refuse the increase if they so wish.

"Let's worry about it in two more years. I don't know why we're wasting time arguing over something that doesn't affect any of us sitting in these chairs," said Fedeyko.

Previously, though, Reed pointed out it's likely the majority of the councillors will likely be seeking re-election in 2021.

Councillor Patrick Wilson took a pragmatic approach to the issue. He estimates his job on council varies in hours each week but in the end averages out to a part-time job. With that in mind, he estimates councillors would receive $40 per hour after the increase, and currently receive $30.

"That makes me uncomfortable, to actually break it down to an hourly wage, especially with the budget we just passed and the economy we sit in."

Reed doesn't interpret his work on council as a salaried job.

"I view my role as a councillor as part civic responsibility, part civic duty, part volunteerism with minimum compensation. I don't see this as a salaried position."

The topic bothered Mayor Genung. He didn't want it to overshadow the steps taken in the budget.

Reed says that was not the intention.

"The mayor was correct to suggest that my motion overshadowed all the great work council and administration achieved with this budget and I would be sickened if this was the net result," he said in a written statement after the meeting. "Clearly, this was not my intent. To overshadow all the critical infrastructure projects we approved, the commitment made to reserves, all with the lowest residential tax rate in the region, insults the hard work done."

Yet, he is proud to see the remuneration decision reversed.

"Council salary increase is inappropriate at this time and that any salary increase for council can be left to administration and that council to address in two years' time. The great work achieved with this budget is exemplary and does lead by example, as does postponing as Council salary increase, in my humble opinion."