Expenses for members of Chatham-Kent council and the mayor came in slightly over-budget for 2019.
A new report by administration details the spending by the 17 councillors and Mayor Darrin Canniff during the past year.
According to the report, all councillors received $32,346 in honorariums and $2,103 in honorarium related benefits. Canniff received $111,319 in honorariums and $27,607 in honorarium related benefits.
"Included in the honorarium related benefit for councillors is a 6.50 per cent pooled benefit charge covering the cost of Canada Pension and Employer Health Tax," stated the report. "In regards to the remuneration for the mayoral positions, the pooled benefit charge is 24.80 per cent for Mayor Canniff."
The total, council remuneration and expenses for 2019 were $788,202. The budget for the items was $784,812.
A total of $9,928 went towards office equipment expenses, which includes cell phones, fax machines and other telecommunication related to the role of a councillor.
Councillor Michael Bondy, who had $1,775 in office expenses, said the costs were mainly due to internet fees.
"I signed up for service many years ago and I am paying a lot more than is now normal," he explained. "I have switched servers. I also have my phone and iPad costs. I actually called in to find out why they were so high as my other expenses are on the [lower] side."
Between councillors and the mayor, a total of $53,715 also went towards travel expenses.
According to Councillor Karen Kirkwood-Whyte, who had $5,957 in travel costs, a bulk of the expenses went towards attending conferences and meeting with constituents.
"I am one of only three retired councillors. In the last year and a half, I have taken full advantage of my free time to meet with local businesses and organizations... I have also taken advantage of many opportunities through attendance at conferences, seminars and workshops... to educate myself about how things work in municipal government... and to familiarize myself with legislation that impacts local decision-making," said Kirkwood-Whyte.
Councillor Mary Clare Latimer echoed these statements. According to Latimer, who had a total of $4,732 in travel costs, she attended several vital seminars over the last year including the Rural Ontario Municipal Association and Ontario Good Roads Association conference.
"These experiences were absolutely invaluable to me as a new councillor, to learn how our municipal systems work and to establish network contacts, especially in the area of infrastructure, transportation and housing initiatives as well as funding," said Latimer.
Councillor Carmen McGregor incurred $5,062 in travel expenses and explained it was mainly due to her role as president of the Association of Local Public Health Agencies.
"I am in this position by being a councillor and member of our local board of health," said McGregor. "As a part of these duties, I also represent the southwestern region as a provincial board of health member... As president, I was also asked to sit on a technical table with the province with regard to public health modernization and have also been to Queen's Park a few times to lobby for provincial monies for all health units. As a result of these duties, I have been required to attend meetings in Toronto."
An annual itemized statement of remuneration and expenses paid to each council member is required by the Municipal Act.