Virtual meetings and a break from in-person conferences saved Chatham-Kent taxpayers some money last year as municipal councillors were forced to stay home.
A report on pay and expenses that went to council Monday details the spending by Mayor Darrin Canniff and all 17 councillors during the past year.
The report showed each councillor received $35,080 as a base salary for a total of $596,995.
All councillors received $32,846 in honorariums and $2,234 in honorarium related benefits. Canniff received $112,908 in honorariums and $26,229 in honorarium related benefits for a total of $139,137.
"The honorarium related benefit for councillors is a 6.80 per cent pooled benefit charge covering the cost of Canada Pension and Employer Health Tax," the report stated. "In regard to the remuneration for the mayoral position, the pooled benefit charge is 23.80 per cent."
The total council remuneration and expenses for 2021 were $753,294. The overall budget was $812,142.
Chief Financial Officer Gord Quinton said the pandemic had an impact on expenses, particularly a break from in-person conferences.
"Conferences were online instead of in-person at lowers costs," said Quinton. "However, I caution that while lower cost, you lose the networking and hallway conversations that sometimes lead to great things."
A total of $9,701 went towards office equipment expenses, which includes cell phones and internet usage, related to the role of a councillor.
Councillor Michael Bondy, who claimed the most of all of his peers for office expenses, said the $1,936 in costs went towards his phone, iPad, and internet bills.
"I believe my expenses were higher than normal because my iPad screen blacked out and was replaced," said Bondy. "My phone was also replaced because the audio failed."
Between councillors and the mayor, a total of $7,461 went towards travel expenses. All but six councillors, including the mayor, claimed no travel expenses.
