The city's top job may soon get a little more lucrative.

City councillors indicated Monday night they will vote in favour of raises for the next mayor and council to be elected in October.

It's suggested that the mayor's salary jump from $74,000 plus a monthly vehicle allowance annually to $84,100 with the vehicle allowance included in the salary.

Remuneration for councillors would rise from $18,000 to $19,600 annually.

Per diems for councillors attending meetings where they're representing the city or serving as acting mayor would also rise to $150 for a meeting of four hours or longer, or to $100 for meetings that last between one and four hours.

The rates are currently set at $62.50 for meetings between three and six hours long and $125 for more than six hours.

There is no per diem for events that are fewer than three hours long.

"I'm really happy with this,” said Coun. Dave Stockdale, who was the first council member to address the proposals.

The new rates, he commented, recognize that the work the mayor does is a full-time job.

Prior to each election, city staff bring forward a bylaw to set the new rates for the next city council.

In coming up with the proposed figures, acting city manager Rob Fendrick looked at the Consumer Price Index average increase over the last three years of 1.7 per cent.

Using that figure would have seen the mayor's salary climb to $78,700 annually, but staff also looked at what mayors are making elsewhere.

"Using these calculations, the mayor is comparable to a western cities average of $79,586 but well under the mayoral compensation levels for Yellowknife ($87,700) and Iqaluit ($110,000),” it was noted in Fendrick's report.

As Stockdale said, the new proposal for $84,100 is still below Yellowknife and Iqaluit, but brings the salary up to a level that compensates the mayor for the full-time work.

Meanwhile, in informal discussions with council, Fendrick noted it appeared members wanted an increase for the next group of councillors that would be in line with the CPI, so the hike to $19,600 per year is proposed.

That compares to an average remuneration across western Canada of $22,298 annually.

"Everybody likes a little extra (cash),” Stockdale said.

Councillors appeared to agree Monday night that the remuneration for councillors is a recognition of the work and time they put in.

Coun. Kirk Cameron said he was initially concerned about raising council's pay, but has since been talked into it.

He noted the pay is probably "below the poverty line” for the amount of work required of council, but the remuneration is a statement recognizing the workload to councillors.

As Coun. Betty Irwin commented when she first decided to run for office, she was informed there would be about 20 hours of work each month.

She soon discovered it was 20 or more hours each week.

While anyone running for council signs on for the work and time they spend doing those tasks, it's also nice to be recognized for it, she said.

As Coun. Florence Roberts reaches the end of her time on council (she's not planning to run for another term in October), she noted: "The city has owned me for six years.”

The remuneration, she noted, barely covers the time and expenses that comes with the job.

As Coun. Ranj Pillai pointed out, as a city councillor, it has to be accepted that every time you run an errand or are out anywhere, you'll find yourself talking about city issues.

If you're a councillor with a young family, you'll find there are times when you have to get a babysitter so you can go to city functions. If you have a cell phone, you'll find the job takes its toll on your phone bill, Pillai added.

You'll find, he concluded, the money that comes with being a city councillor gets eaten up pretty quickly by obligations that come with the role.

While he agrees with the increase, Pillai noted he's also prepared for the criticism that may accompany it.

Trying to justify a pay increase is a losing battle with the public, he said. No matter what, there will be a large section of individuals who will comment that the move is "classic,” he said.

Council will vote on the suggested pay increases next week, though the raises wouldn't come into effect until a new council takes office after the Oct. 18 election.

Mayor Bev Buckway, who is not planning to seek a third term as mayor, and Coun. Dave Austin, who has yet to state his intentions for the vote, were absent from Monday's meeting.

Stockdale, who has been a councillor for 29 years, Cameron, Pillai and Irwin have all indicated they will seek another term.