Political pay is climbing in Coldstream but not any time soon.
Council voted Tuesday to hike remuneration to $13,500 for councillors and $30,000 for the mayor as of Jan. 1, 2019.
“It won’t come in during our term but during the next term,” said Mayor Jim Garlick.
Currently, the mayor receives $29,570 and councillors receive $11,721. There is also meeting pay.
The last council remuneration review was in 2010, and since then, rates were increased annually based on the consumer price index.
The decision to hike salaries followed a look at what politicians are paid in several other similar-sized communities.
However, there was some debate about whether the increase should be higher as the federal government may remove the one-third tax exemption from local officials.
In the end, though, council opted not to react to the possible federal policy.
“If there are going to be changes, we can address them when they come along,” said Coun. Richard Enns.