When the newly-elected Cochrane town councillors take office, an updated remuneration package comes into play with annually increases set for the next four years.

Changes, too, are coming in 2019 with the elimination of the one-third tax exemption by the federal government.

In January 2017, council approved the recommendations of a mayor and council remuneration task force to implement an annual 2.5 per cent wage increase for the next four years for town councillors. The mayor's compensation was kept at the existing level.

Town councillors will be receiving a base compensation of $29,214 per year starting in Oct. 2017, $29,944 starting Oct. 2018, $30,692 starting Oct. 2019 and $31,460 starting Oct. 2020 plus any cost of living increases given to other town employees. They also get expense allowances and benefits.

Currently, town councillors receive a base remuneration of $28,500 plus a benefits packaged valued at $5,816.86, a cell phone allowance of $780, general expenses of up to $2,000 plus $1,857.14 towards conference and training registration. The salary, benefits cost and cell phone allowance are set amounts; the others have specific rules for use and aren't always fully utilized by councillors.

For mayor, the base remuneration is $84,671.04, benefits of $7,669.30, up to $6,000 for general expenses and the cell phone allowance and registration compensation remain the same. The mayor is the only full-time position on council.

Councillors' expenses are reported quarterly and are available for review on the town's website.

At some point in 2018, town council will have to decide how they will handle this change made in the 2017 federal budget and if they wish to adjust their compensation to retain their existing take home pay. The impact varies from person to person and is dependent upon what other sources of income they have. On average, it amounts to about an extra $2,500 annually in their pocket.  

In the third year of council's four-year term, a mayor and council remuneration task force is struck, formed from the public-at-large, to recommend compensation for the next council.