City of Cold Lake council members reviewed the Council Compensation Policy during their annual organisational meeting on Nov. 3, taking time to walk through the framework that guides how elected officials are compensated throughout their four-year term.

 

CAO Kevin Nagoya told council that the review is standard procedure at the start of each term to ensure all members understand the policy and its components.

 

“This policy is typically reviewed again at the beginning of your first organisational meeting in order to understand what the council compensation policy is and what the framework includes,” Nagoya said.

 

Key Components Outlined

 

Nagoya highlighted several benefits and updates included in the current version of the policy, such as:

 

▪️ Health Spending Benefit

▪️ Vehicle Allowance

▪️ Dependent Care Benefit

▪️ Hired Driver Benefit

 

He explained that the vehicle allowance was introduced to simplify mileage tracking and reduce paperwork, while the dependent care benefit was broadened to support councillors managing childcare or other family responsibilities. The hired driver benefit offers an option for councillors who must travel long distances or late at night to attend meetings or events on behalf of the City.

 

Nagoya noted that council compensation continues to follow Alberta’s annual cost-of-living index, meaning adjustments are tied to provincial inflation rather than decided individually by council.

 

Routine Start-of-Term Review

 

The compensation review formed part of the broader organisational meeting, where council also confirms appointments, reviews governance procedures and sets the foundation for the coming term.

 

No changes to the compensation policy were requested, and council accepted the information as presented.