Chances are, city councillors to be elected in October will see a raise in their honouraria, or salary, in the mayor's case, but it will come only once.

At Monday evening's city council meeting, members opted against a proposal by Coun. Dave Stockdale that the mayor's salary increase annually, while the councillors' honouraria see a hike once per term.

Instead, council favoured Coun. Doug Graham's suggestion of an increase for all council members once per term.

The raises had originally been proposed by staff as a 2.13 per cent hike per year based on the average increase of the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

That would see the mayor's salary up from the current $72,500 to $74,000 this year after the election, $75,500 in 2010 and $77,000 in 2011.

For councillors who receive $17,500 annually now, the jump would translate into $18,000 after the election, $18,500 in 2010 and $19,000 in 2011.

Stockdale had brought forward his idea a week earlier, suggesting the mayor's salary should increase annually because it is a full-time occupation. A councillor's role, he argued, is more a position of public service with some work they are remunerated for and thus should increase only once per term, corresponding with the CPI.

While Graham was at last week's session, he didn't counter Stockdale's argument until last night, stating there should be consistency in the increases.

"Up 'til now, I haven't had anything to say with the salaries whatsoever because it really doesn't bother me one way or the other, but this kind of inconsistency I guess, more than anything, is what, you know, causes,

I guess, so many five-to-one or six-to-one votes," Graham said.

The city should be consistent with the raises, he added. He also questioned why the mayor would see a raise every year while council members would see one every three years.

"Why would we give the mayor's position a raise every year and a councillor's position a raise every three years?" he wondered aloud.

"Do it one way or the other. This, to me, is just ridiculous."

Stockdale held to his position though, arguing the mayor's role is an occupation or career; whereas the position of councillor has an element of public service.

"The (councillor's) position is not the same as the mayor's position," he said. "The mayor has given up a full-time job to take on a full-time job and it falls into a work milieu and they should be given increases every

year.

"It's not inconsistent. It's different."

He went on to state his position is not inconsistent and that he would not change his stand on it.

While Stockdale described his proposal as a "perfect solution", Graham argued "Of all the solutions, this is the worst.

"As far as I'm concerned, one pay increase every three years for everyone is fine, but to do it this way just doesn't make any sense," Graham said.

Stockdale then countered: "Not to you," as the discussion came to a close.

While Graham voted against moving the bylaw forward and to first reading, once the bylaw hit second reading and was open again for discussion, Graham proposed his amendment that the raise be made once for all members of the new council.

Both Graham and Stockdale made their positions once again. Graham stressed the mayor is well paid for the full-time position, which also includes a monthly $450 vehicle allowance. Stockdale argued that it is a

demanding, full-time job.

Other council members also brought forward their positions, siding with Graham on the matter.

Coun. Jeanine Myhre noted she sees both points of view, but took note of Graham's position that the spread between councillor and mayor could get out of control with Stockdale's suggestion.

"Every three years, per term, lends itself to consistency and everybody would know exactly where they stand," Coun. Florence Roberts said just before she and other council members except Stockdale voted in

favour of the one-time raise for the new council.

Third reading of the bylaw will have to pass before the proposal is officially adopted.

Council traditionally reviews what mayor and council is paid prior to a municipal election. Any raise approved then comes into effect after the election.

Coun. Jan Stick was absent from Monday's meeting.