(A) Council salaries and compensation. Council members receive a minimal annual salary, paid in December, to account for their time, service and conduct of their official elected duties. Council member salaries are reviewed and adjusted periodically as part of the town compensation ordinance.
(B) Reimbursements. In addition to the annual salary, Council members may be compensated for expenses directly related to the conduct of their official duties and would include participation in seminars, meetings, or training. These are handled on a case-by-case basis and generally require prior approval by the Mayor or the Council. This includes such expenses as per diem, mileage, lodging, meals, registration fees, subscriptions, memberships, and the like. These expenses may be paid in advance, if needed, or disbursed following approval of a submitted expense statement.
(C) Stipends.
(1) Generally. Stipend payments are separate from and in addition to salary or other reimbursable expenses as outlined above. Each stipend is provided for a specific purpose to further support Council members in fulfilling their roles and responsibilities.
(2) Technology stipend. This is intended to assist Council members to acquire needed computer hardware and/or software to be able to equally perform the duties of their office. The Town Council shall periodically define a minimal platform of hardware, such as laptop or notebook PCs, tablets, or other devices, as well as the need for supporting software, such as word processing or office suites. This stipend is available to each Council member at the beginning of each term of office, but is only authorized where a need for assistance exists and each case shall be reviewed and authorized by the Mayor. The level of compensation shall be up to, but not to exceed, the current amount allowed as stipulated in the compensation ordinance.
(D) Labor by Council members.
(1) It is not necessary for Council members to perform the routine physical labors of each department over which they are assigned. Doing so creates a liability to the town if the Council member is not qualified to perform such labor. It also discourages community members from serving on the Town Council if the perception exists that such labors are part of the duties of office.
(2) Nevertheless, it has been common practice for certain Council members to perform some of these physical duties, where they have been qualified to do so. This practice permitted, but only when the Council member is duly qualified to perform the labor.
(3) The Mayor and Council member over each department is responsible to determine what the qualifications are for specific jobs and whether labor to be performed by a Council member or by others meets that criteria. Wherever possible, the labor should be performed by a qualified town employee or contractor.
(4) Compensation for labor performed by Council members shall be according to the schedule for general labor, as defined in the compensation ordinance.
(Res. 2021-07, passed 10-21-2021)