City Council will consider a scheduled review of renumeration for future councils at its next meeting. Any changes arising from the review would take effect after the 2026 municipal election.
The review compares Penticton’s council compensation with that of similarly sized municipalities in British Columbia. A staff report notes that councillor remuneration is currently more than 30 per cent below the comparative median and is projected to remain so without changes to the framework.
Under the recommendation, the mayor’s remuneration would receive a one-time adjustment in 2027 of four per cent plus the B.C. Consumer Price Index (CPI). Councillor remuneration would be set as a percentage of the mayor’s salary, aligning with the comparative median. Annual adjustments beyond 2027 would be tied to CPI.
“This review is about applying a consistent and transparent approach for future councils,” said Angela Campbell, Chief Financial Officer. “The recommended framework reflects practices used by comparable municipalities across the province and provides consistency over time.”
The estimated financial impact of the recommended framework is approximately $62,000 in the 2027 fiscal year, should council choose to adopt it. Council may also consider alternative options, including maintaining the current structure or phasing in changes.
The last remuneration review was completed in 2019, when council adopted the current bylaw. Annual adjustments have since been tied to CPI, though council chose not to apply an increase in 2023 as part of efforts to reduce budget pressures.
Remuneration reviews are typically considered ahead of municipal elections to ensure decisions apply to future councils rather than sitting members.
The discussion will take place at the January 20 council meeting. The full report on the city’s website, at Penticton.ca/councilmeetings.