Surrey, B.C. (December 16, 2024): Surrey First Councillors Linda Annis and Mike Bose say they will not vote for the proposed pay increase for mayor and city councillors that is coming to today's council meeting.

 

Under the proposed increase the mayor's salary would go from $171,150 to $184,899, and councillor salaries would go from $87,287 to $94,298, effective January 1, 2025.

 

"All of us on council knew how much the jobs paid when we ran for election," explained Annis. "So, I think it is wrong to be voting ourselves a raise in the middle of our term, particularly when taxpayers are hurting and struggling to make ends meet. I do not think any council should be voting raises for itself. Instead, there should be some arms-length formula that makes this process less political. At the very least, any approved increase should not take effect until after the next election for the new council."

 

Bose, a first term councillor, said taxpayers are definitely hurting and city council needs to show leadership.

 

"Now is not the time to increase mayor and councillor pay," added Bose. "All of us knew what we were signing up for, and the compensation that came with the job. I can't think of any other group of people in our city who can simply vote to increase their salaries. We need to show our taxpayers we understand these uncertain financial times and demonstrate some leadership."