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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOD-029-18 Addendum ReportClarington Corporate Services Report If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131. Report To: Council Date of Meeting: December 17, 2018 Report Number: File Number: Report Subject: Addendum to COD-029-18 Resolution: By-law Number: 2018-103 Elimination of 1/3 Tax Free Allowance for Council, and Council Compensation Review Options Recommendations: That Report COD-029-18 (Attachment #1) be received; 2. That Addendum Report to Report COD-029-18 be received; 3. That Council select the preferred option to undertake a review of the compensation value for the Mayor and Members of Council, reporting back with any recommended changes to be effective January 1, 2019: a) Engage an external consultant for an independent review of compensation rates and the method of determining the salary provided, within approximately 10 comparable area municipalities at an estimated cost range between $3,000 to 5,000 depending on the scope of the review; or b) That staff report back to Council on the rates that would be applicable if the average of the lakefront municipalities was used to calculate a base (2018 rates for Pickering, Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa), similar to the method used by Ajax and Whitby; or c) Advertise for a Citizen Committee to undertake a review of the compensation values, to make recommendation to Council on the annual compensation. 4. That the draft by-law (Attachment #2 to Addendum Report to Report COD-029-18), which amends By-law 2011-005, to: O Delete section B entirely (1/3 tax free declaration and automatic adjustment); O Delete section D3 sub -section 2 (re OMERS equivalent), Municipality of Clarington Addendum to Report COD-029-18 Page 2 O Amend section D3 sub -section 3 to delete "age 69" and replace with age 71, be approved; and 5. That based on Council's decision on the option to review compensation, staff report back with the appropriate By-law amendments to effect Council's decision. Municipality of Clarington Addendum to Resort COD-029-18 Report Overview Page 3 To provide options to Council regarding methods to undertake a review of compensation values payable to the Mayor and Members of Council. 1. General Government Meeting Resolution 1.1 At the General Government Committee meeting of December 10, 2018, in considering COD-029-18 which updated the comprehensive compensation by-law following the Federal Government's decision to remove the one-third tax free allowance on Council salaries, Resolution #JC-050-18 was passed as follows: That Report COD-029-18 be referred to Staff to report back to the December 17, 2018 Council Meeting, to provide methodology for having a review of Council salaries in light of the elimination of the 113 tax free allowance; and That By-law 2011-005 be amended to remove the automatic adjustment to maintain the net compensation equivalent value effective January 1, 2019. 2. Compensation Review Criteria Independent Review — A) Compensation Values Only-, 2.1 An independent and unbiased review would ensure true comparisons, considering all the different elements that may be included in compensation values. A general review with outreach to municipalities within and outside the Durham Region would entail gathering values and the methodology used to calculate those amounts. It is suggested that ten (10) municipal comparisons may be reasonable to determine appropriate salaries based on like parameters such as population, geographic challenges, industrial, and agricultural issues. 2.2 The referenced cost is an estimate at this time as quotes have not been obtained for this service for the independent review A) $3,000 or B) $5,000 Independent Review — B} Comprehensive Office Expenses: 2.3 If there is an interest in obtaining a comprehensive cost impact for the offices of the Mayor and Council, it would involve a more in-depth accumulation of costs including salary, benefits, expenses, travel, communication expenses and tools. Some of the municipalities do not identify costs related to telecommunications etc. therefore there may be some differences in costs presented under that type of review_ In that regard there have been news articles in 2017 and 2016 by news media source https:t/www.d urhamregion corn that identify relevant office costs for some of the area municipalities, and the actual articles are available through the following links for full information: Municipality of Clarington Addendum to Resort COD-029-18 Page 4 + Pickering Council costs $433,247 in salary, expenses in 2017 https://www.d urhamregion. cominews-story/8311088-Pickering-cou ncil-costs-433- 47-in-salary-expenses-in-2017� Oshawa Council pay tops $700,000 in 2017 https:llwww.d u rhamregion. cominews-storyl8387449-oshawa-cou nciI-pay-tops-700- QQg-in-2g17 What did Clarington Council cost taxpayers in 2016 ( 353,880) https:llwww.d urhamregion, cominews-storyl7212708-what- did-clari ngton-cou ncil- cost-to x payers-in-2016? • Politicians cost Ajax taxpayers almost $461 K in 2016 hftps://www.durhamregion.com/news-stoW7194200-politicians-r-ost-a'ax-taxpayers- a I most-461 I- i n-2016 2.4 Should Council consider it appropriate to conduct a full spectrum review of all office related costs, it would be recommended that it be Conducted through an independent review, which would expand the timing and scope of the project. Durham Area Municipalities' Practices: ,6 Within the Durham Region municipalities, there are essentially two methods used to adjust Council compensation that have been in place for years to ensure the municipality provides reasonable rates to attract candidates to office. .6 In 2017 Whitby conducted a review of the practices through Report CA013-17, which included the following table of local methods used: Method of Determination for Annual Salary Increases Municipality Method of Determination Ajax Annual increases are determined by the average of their comparators in the local area. (Clarington, Oshawa, Pickering and Whitby) Clarington Annual increases are the same increases given to their non-affiliated employee group. Oshawa Annual increases are based on the negotiated CUPE increases. Pickering Annual increases are based on CUPE increases from the previous year. Whitby Annual increases are determined by the average of their comparators in the local area. (Ajax, Clarington, Oshawa, and Pickering.) Municipality of Clarington Page 5 Addendum to Report COD-029-18 2.7 Report COD-029-18 noted that at the time of preparing the one-third tax free allowance report, the values had not been established. 2.8 If Council considers the average of area municipalities as a reasonable method, the 2018 base salaries of Ajax Oshawa Pickering Whitby could be used to establish the 2018 base. That would avoid the circular dilemma of who sets the rate first when one relies on the other value to establish the rate. Future updates on that base would be in accordance with the existing by-law parameters using the Non -Affiliated (which is the CUPE rate) for annual adjustments, similar to Oshawa and Pickering ongoing practice. Having the automatic adjustment was put in place historically to avoid having the rates fall below market, and also to avoid the sensitive discussions related to one's own salary. Citizen Committee Review 2.9 If Council deems it appropriate to have an independent citizen group formed to undertake a review, the opportunity Gould be advertised locally for a group of up to five residents to conduct the review. 2.10 There may be risk in this approach given the potential varied perspective of the participants regarding the appropriate comparisons for example using salaries from other Government positions, executives, board positions or general labour rates could lead to assumptions that may not reflect employment equity principles. 2.11 Although not recently the normal practice for undertaking compensation reviews due to the long established practices reflected in by-laws, it could be undertaken by reporting back with a terms of reference to set out the expectations of the committee_ 3. Concurrence Not Applicable 4. Conclusion 4.1 It is respectfully recommended that Council select the preferred option to review the salaries for the Mayor and Members of Council for 2019. Any adjustments resulting from the review would be reported to back to Council and could be effective retroactively to January 1, 2019. 5. Strategic Plan Application Not applicable. Municipality of Clarington Addendum to Resort COD-029-18 Submitted by: Marie Marano, H.B. Sc., AMCTO Director of Corporate Services Page 6 Reviewed by: Andrew C. Allison, B. Comm, LL.B CAO Staff Contact: Marie Marano, Director of Corporate Services, 905-623-3379 ext 2202 or mmarano@clarington.net There are no interested parties to be notified of Council's decision. Attachment # 1 COD-029-18 Elimination of 1/3 Tax Free Allowance for Council Compensation Attachment #2 Draft By-law 2011-005 as amended Clarington Attachment #1 Addendum Report COD-029-18 Corporate Services Report If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131. Report To: General Government Committee Date of Meeting: December 10, 2018 Report Number: COD-029-18 Resolution: File Number: By-law Number: Report Subject: Elimination of 113 Tax Free Allowance for Council Compensation Recommendations: That Report COD-029-18 be received; 2. That the Comprehensive Compensation By-law for Members of Council, By-law 2011-005, as amended, be further amended as follows: a. Section B. Remove reference to the provision of the 1/3 tax free exemption, and the automatic adjustment to maintain the net compensation equivalent value effective January 1, 2019; and b. Section D 3. Subsection 2. Remove reference to the OMERS equivalent pension contribution paid on current remuneration effective January 1, 2019; and Subsection 3. Amend OMERS deductions stop at age 71, in accordance with changed OMERS criteria; and 3. That the draft by-law amending By-law 2011-005, Attachment 5 to Report COD-016-18, be approved. Municipality of Clarington Report COD-029-18 Report Overview Page 2 In March 2017 the federal budget eliminated the one-third tax free exemption for Municipal elected officials beginning in 2019. This report informs Council of that decision, and confirms that the existing comprehensive compensation by-law accommodates the elimination of the exemption and maintains the same net compensation value as an automatic adjustment. 1. Background Municipal Act and Existing By-law #2011-005 and #2014-123 1.1 The Municipal Act, 2001 Subsections 283(5) and (7) provide that if one-third of the remuneration paid to elected Council Members is continued, Council must review the by-law provisions at least once during the four-year term of office. 1.2 Clarington's comprehensive By-law #2011-005 for compensation policies section B (Attachment #1) sets out the tax free declaration, allowing 1/3 of compensation to be tax exempt. The required review for the current term of Council is set out in the amending By-law #2014-123 (Attachment #2). 1.3 By-law 2011-005 provides that Council's compensation would not be negatively affected if the one-third exemption was to be eliminated, by providing for an automatic adjustment to maintain the same net compensation value. 2. 2017 Federal Budget — Eliminating the 1/3 Exemption 2.1 In March 2017 the federal budget eliminated the 1/3 tax free exemption for Municipal officials beginning in 2019. The AMO notice to all municipalities (Attachment #3) advises that the course of action be identified now for incoming Council after the fall election. The CRA website notice (Attachment #4) also notes the impact on the Council Members' income and T4 slip. 2.2 The existing By-law 2011-005 provides for an automatic adjustment, and as such there is no action required by Council, other than to remove the related references from the By-law. The net compensation value of the incoming Council, beginning in 2019, will be maintained. The OMERS equivalent payment that pays a pension value on the 1/3 exempt portion that does not have an OMERS contribution/deduction applicable will be discontinued because the adjusted compensation will all be taxable and pensionable. Municipality of Clarington Report COD-029-18 3. Financial Implication — 2019 Budget Page 3 3.1 The individual Council member's net salary will remain the same, however there is a Municipal budget impact related to the Federal decision to remove the 1/3 tax free exemption. The Municipality will pay approximately $92,848 (Mayor $47,573, and Councillors $45,275) based on 2018 salaries (full year) to provide that Council Members are able to take home the same compensation, net of applicable statutory deductions. The Director of Finance will include the appropriate amount in the 2019 budget as a non -controllable expense. Area Municipalities Status: Municipality 1 /3 Tax Free Status Previously 2019 Adjustment to Provide Same Net Compensation Implemented Ajax Yes Yes Oshawa Unknown at this time what action will be taken Pending Decision Pickering No official plan at this time Pending Decision Whitby By-law requires automatic adjustment Proceeding Region Adjusted in 2004 Adjusted to provide same net compensation and adjusted to reflect 75th percentile of comparators. Implemented in 2004 Municipality of Clarington Report COD-029-18 2019 Rates for Mayor and Councillor Page 4 Municipality Increase Percent 2019 Rate for Mayor 2019 Rate forCouncillor Oshawa 1.95% $98,338 $4T,491 Pickering 1.50% $87,407 $36,420 Whitby Averaged not calcuated yet Ajax Averaged not calcuated yet Clarington 1.75% $93,124 1 $37,250 Note: All rate increases are based on 2018 salary only. Whitby's and Ajax's current by-law are based on the averages of comparators in the local area. 4. Concurrence Not applicable. 5. Conclusion It is respectfully recommended the report be received, and the appropriate action be taken to comply with the existing By-law provisions to accommodate the elimination of the 1/3 tax free allowance, with appropriate amendments to update the By-law. Submitted baarie no, H.B. Sc., C.M.O., Director of Corporate Services Reviewed by: X4111� Andrew C. Allison, B. Comm, LL.B CAD Staff Contact: Marie Marano, Director, 905-623-3379 ext. 2201 or mmarano@clarington.net Attachments: Attachment # 1 By-law #2011-005 Comprehensive Compensation for Members of Council Attachment # 2 By-law # 2014-123 Amending By-law for By-law 2011-005 re 1/3 Tax Free Attachment # 3 AMO Notice Regarding Elimination of the One -Third Tax Free Allowance Attachment # 4 Government of Canada Bulletin — Municipal Officers Expense Allowance Attachment # 5 2018 Draft Amending By-law for By-law # 2011-005 There are no interested parties to be notified of Council's decision. Attachment #2 Addendum Report COD-029-18 If this information is required in an alternate format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131. The Corporation of the Municipality of Clarington By-law No. 2018-XX Being a By-law to update the compensation applicable to Mayor and Members of Council and to amend By-law No. 2011-005 to remove references to the 1/3 tax free allowance and change the age for OMERS deductions to stop. Whereas the 2017 Federal Budget eliminated the 1/3 tax free allowance, And whereasBy-law No. 2011-005 provides for a 1/3 tax free allowance applied to the local level remuneration in accordance with Section 283(5) of the Municipal Act, 2001; And whereasBy-law 2011-005 requires an amendment to remove reference to the allowance going forward; 1. Now therefore the Council of the Municipality of Clarington enacts as follows:That By-law 2011-005 be amended as follows: a) Section B Delete section B referencing 1/3 Tax Free Allowance, in its entirety; b) Section D 3 Subsection 2. Delete the words ""OMERS equivalent" pension contribution paid on current remuneration; and Subsection 3. Delete the word "69" and replace it with the word 71", in accordance with OMERS criteria. 2. This By-law shall be effective January 1, 2019. By-law passed in open session this 17t" day of December, 2018. Adrian Foster, Mayor C. Anne Greentree, Municipal Clerk Attachment #1 Report COD-029-18 THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON BY-LAW # 2011 — 005 Being a by-law to update the prevailing compensation policies applicable to the Mayor and Members of Council, and to repeal by-law# 2007-097. WHEREAS Section 283-1 of the Municipal Act 2001 provides that a municipality may pass by laws for paying remuneration to the Members of Council; WHEREAS On March 19, 2007 the Council of the Municipality of Clarington ratified report ADM-002-07 Mayors Compensation Review-2007, authorizing staff to bring forward a comprehensive by-law to consolidate the compensation practices for the Mayor and Members of Council, which was set out in By -Law 2007-097 and now requires updating for compliance; NOW THEREFORE BE IT ENACTED AS FOLLOWS: A. ANNUAL REMUNERATION Mayor and Council - Amount as set out in prevailing by-laws for particular year in accordance with the following: Provisions: 1. Future increase to annual remuneration will be the percent applicable to the Non -Affiliated Employees salary for the same period of time, applied on January 15` of the applicable year, or as otherwise stated. 2. There is no additional compensation applicable to any prevailing Deputy Mayor position. 2. Councillor remuneration is set at 40% of the Mayor's salary. 3. Remuneration continues until the end of the term of Council. 4. Regional remuneration - Clarington Council endorsed single stream payment of the Regional portion of compensation through the local level by approval of Report COD-65-04. The Region approved single stream payment by By -Law 01-2005 and 08- 2004, and is considered the Employer for Region compensation purposes. B. 1/3 TAX FREE DECLARATION B.1, In each term Council is required by the Municipal Act S283 (7) to confirm its intention to retain the 113 tax free allowance as provided for in the Municipal Act; Council hereby confirms 1/3 tax free allowance applied to the local level remuneration for the prevailing term from December 2010 to December 2014. B.2. The tax free portion of remuneration is currently exempt from reporting requirements under the Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act, and remuneration will continue to be reported as required under the prevailing Act. B.3. Council maintains the commitment to adjust future compensation to maintain an equivalent net compensation value should the Municipal Act be amended or repealed and replaced with provisions that in effect prohibit an income tax free allowance. Compensation will be automatically adjusted to maintain the same net compensation level. C. TRAVEL ALLOWANCE & REIMBURSEMENT GUIDELINES C.1. Monthly Flat Rate Allowance Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Councillor — as set out in prevailing by-laws for particular year in accordance with the following: Provisions: 1. Monthly flat rate allowance will be paid to compensate for travel related to Municipal business within Municipal boundaries. 2. Allowance shall be paid through payroll with statutory deductions applied. 3. The allowance shall be paid on an automatic basis unless any Member of Council elects not to be reimbursed and provides written notice to Payroll of the effective date of cancellation. 4. Future increases will be the percent applicable to the general non- affiliated grid increase, applied to the total monthly allowance, in each year, unless Council amends otherwise. Increase will be applied at the date of the change to the employee grid. 5. If any travel is reimbursed for travel outside of the Municipal boundaries over and above the monthly allowance, it will be at the prevailing employee kilometre rate, in accordance with the guidelines below. C.2. Travel & Expense Reimbursement Guidelines C.2.1 Municipal Business Municipal business will be considered to include the following: I. Travel to and from any meetings of Boards Commissions or Authorities or other groups to which Council members are appointed or delegated provided they are held outside the municipal boundaries and travel expenses are not paid by the aforementioned agencies; ii. Travel to and from any event sponsored by the Corporation towards the promotion of the Municipality where Council attendance is required or requested outside the Municipality; Accommodation, meals, kilometre reimbursement for travel outside of municipal boundaries, parking, registration and other miscellaneous charges related to municipal business which may include among other things attendance at any seminar, conference, events or convention approved by Council and attended as a Council representative or as provided for through the current budget allocation; iv. Travelling to and from the Municipal Administrative Centre will NOT be considered to be Municipal business in the following instances: a) Attendance at all General Purpose and Administration Committee meetings and Council meetings. b) Meetings with Town Staff. c) Picking up of agendas. d) Constituent meetings. C.2.2 Expense Claims and Approvals V. All claims for payment shall be documented using the prevailing expense claim sheet and where possible supported with receipts. vi. Mayor: Expense claims for reimbursement of expenses by the Mayor shall be submitted as soon as possible after the month end and approved for payment by the Chief Administrative Officer or in the alternative, by the Director of Finance. vii. Members of Council: all expense claims for reimbursement of expenses for Members of Council shall be submitted as soon as possible after month end to the Mayor for approval. In the absence of the Mayor, the Chief Administrative Officer, or in the alternative, the Director of Finance shall approve the expense claims for payment. C.2.3 Annual Report to Council All expense claims and compensation, severance, etc., shall be categorized and included in the annual remuneration report to Council in accordance with the prevailing Municipal Act requirements. C.2.4 Special Events Expenses There are occasions throughout the year where the Corporation may host special events to promote the Municipality. The following guidelines apply to such events: i Payment of expenses as it relates to the hosting of government officials industrial prospects or other groups visiting the Municipality of Clarington or the hosting of receptions for same within the Municipality will require the submission of an expense claim indicating the number of people hosted and the date as well as the specific amount of expenditure. Such claims must be supported by the applicable receipts or documentation. ii All claims for payment or expenses related to special events shall be submitted as soon as possible after the month end to the Mayor for approval. In the absence of the Mayor the Chief Administrative Officer or, in the alternative, the Director of Finance shall approve the claims for payment D. BENEFITS PROVIDED FOR CURRENT SITTING MEMBERS General Application 1. Family or Single Coverage 2. Any member may choose not to receive any benefit by advising Payroll in writing. 3. All benefits are limited to provisions set out by the prevailing carrier. 4. All benefits cease at age 65 unless expressly identified even if the member is currently on Council. D.1 Health & Dental Generally, as applicable to Non -Affiliated Employees for Health, Dental and Travel Benefits, excluding any self funded provisions. D.2 Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (ADD) Prevailing policy generally as applicable to Non -Affiliated Employees; Reduced at age 65 to 50%, and at age 70 to $25,000 or amount set out in prevailing carrier plan. D.3 OMERS 1. Mandatory participation and individual contribution as set out by OMERS. 2. Per ADM-03-02, an "OMERS equivalent' Retirement Pension contribution of 7.5% of the portion of the current remuneration that is not eligible for OMERS contribution is established for all Members of Council effective January 1, 2002. 3. All OMERS deductions stop at age 69 in accordance with OMERS criteria. D.4 Sick Leave Benefits Short Term or Long Term Disability (LTD) benefits are not provided to Members of Council. D.5 Other Communication tools such as cell phones or blackberries are as provided for in the annual operating budget. Usage of such equipment is governed by prevailing corporate policies. TUITION ASSISTANCE & MEMBERSHIP FEES POLICY In accordance with Report ADMIN.16-2000, the following policy applies unless otherwise specifically approved by Council resolution: The Municipality will not pay for any educational courses to any Member of Council, including any membership fee of any professional association. The only exception is orientation seminars offered to new Members of Council by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. F. CREDIT CARDS The Mayor is provided with a credit card for the purpose of Municipal business expenses, as noted in report ADMIN 9-94. Statements are submitted to the CAO for processing of payment, or in the alternative, to the Director of Finance for processing of payments. G.SEVERANCE Payment of severance remuneration to current and future members of Council is upon the following terms and conditions: GA Definitions: a) "annual remuneration" of the member means the annual amount of remuneration paid to the member for the discharge of all duties as a member of Council including both the tax exempt and taxable portions calculated as at the date of severance; b) "member" means any person who is or becomes a member of Council on or after the 19th day of January 2004; c) "service" shall mean any period of continuous service as a member and shall include any member's period of service occurring prior to the 19'h day of January 2004 d) Retroactivity — there is no severance applied to years of broken service. G.2.1 Eligibility: Upon application by the member or his or her personal representative a member is entitled to receive severance remuneration upon ceasing to be a member by reason of: a) election defeat; b) resignation; c) leaving office; or d) dying while in office if the member is 65 years of age or over and not eligible to receive benefits under the Municipality's group life insurance program. G.2.2 Ineligibility: No member shall be entitled to receive severance remuneration who ceases to be a member by reason of or by resignation which is a result of or given in anticipation of: a) removal from office by judicial process; or b) disqualification under or operation of any Act of the Parliament of Canada or the Legislature of the Province of Ontario G.3 Remuneration: Severance remuneration shall be equal to one -twelfth (1112) the annual remuneration of the member times the number of years service of the member pro -rated for part years of service to a maximum amount payable of eighteen (18) months remuneration. GA Payment: Payment of severance amount may be split and paid over a maximum of 3 years; and is subject to all applicable statutory deductions. G.5 Claim: A written request for severance remuneration must be received by the Municipal Clerk within six (6) calendar months of a member ceasing to be a member otherwise any entitlement to severance remuneration shall be forfeited. REPEAL BY-LAWS The following By -Law is hereby repealed; #2007-097. EFFECTIVE DATE: This By law shall come into force on the date of passage. By-law read a first and second time this 17`h day of January, 2011 By-law read a third time and finally passed this 17'" day of Janua 011 r.r,_IVIayUr rie Municipal Clerk Attachment #2 Report COD-029-18 THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON BY-LAW NO. 2014-123 Being a By-law to retain the 1/3 tax free allowance for Members of Council for 2014-2018 Term of Council WHEREAS Section 283 (1) of the Municipal Act, 2001 provides that a municipality may pass by-laws for paying remuneration to the members of Council; AND WHEREAS Council enacted By -Law 2011-005 confirming 1/3 tax free allowance applied to the local level remuneration in accordance with Section 283(5) of the Municipal Act, 2001; and WHEREAS Section 283 (7) requires Council to review the by-law passed in accordance with Section 283 (5) at least once during the four-year period corresponding to the term of office of its members after a regular election; NOW THEREFORE BE IT ENACTED AS FOLLOWS: 1.. By-law 2011-005 be amended to deleted Section B.1; and Council hereby confirms 1/3 tax free allowance applied to the local level remuneration for the prevailing term from December 2014 to December 2018. BY-LAW passed in open session this 151h day of December, 2014. ian Foster, Mayor ' ,f t_. 4 C. Anne Greentree, Municipal Clerk Attacnment TT 3 Keport cxuli-v2v- i u ANPIOAssocialionof MunicipalitiesOntario ppLICY UPDATE March 27, 2018 One -Third Tax Free Exemption for Municipal Officials In March 2017, the federal budget announced the government's intention to eliminate the one-third tax free exemption for municipal elected officials beginning in 2019. The 2018 federal budget delivered last month did not signal any change from that plan. AMO's Board of Directors passed a resolution last June seeking the involvement of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) on this matter. FCM has advised they have been raising this issue with federal officials over the past months but again, there have been no signs to suggest a change of plan for 2019. While 2019 is nine months away, a municipal government may want to begin considering what course of action to take or at least to note it as a matter for the incoming council after the fall's municipal election. AMO would also like to thank the 144 municipal treasurers who took part in our salary survey. Over 90%.of survey respondents indicated their municipality uses the exemption. This information was provided to FCM in support of their advocacy efforts. Here are some examples from the survey which illustrate the impact of this change in 2019: -The cost increase for a central Ontario municipality with a council of nine and a population of 30,000 will be at least $28,000. -The cost increase for an eastern Ontario county council of seventeen and a population of 77,000 will be at least $74,000. -The cost increase for a southwestern Ontario municipality with a council of seven and a population of 24,000 will be at least $14,000. For almost half of Ontario's municipal governments, a one per cent property tax increase raises only $50,000. Also available for member municipal governments is 2017 survey results on council salaries. Use your AMC) login to access the salary survey information available on the Dashboard. If you have forgotten your login details, please email amo@amo.on.ca. 200 University Ave., Suite 801 Toronto ON NISH 3C6 Canada I Tel:4l6.9i1.9856 1 Fax: 416.971.6191 I Toll -Free in Ontario: 1.872.,126.6522 1 amor4anto.on.ca Municipal officer's expense allowance - Canada.ca Attachment #4 Report COD-029-18 000 of Canada Government Gouvernement du Canada 1I :_ _ - . _ I - expense allowance A municipal corporation or board may pay a non -accountable expense allowance to an elected officer to perform the duties of that office. If the expense allowance is more than one-third of the officer's salary and allowances, the excess amount is a taxable benefit. Enter it in box 14, "Employment income," and in the "Other information" area under code 40 at the bottom of the employee's T4 slip. If the expense allowance is not more than one-third of the officer's salary and allowances do not include this amount in box 14, "Employment income," or in the "Other information" area under code 40 at the bottom of the employee's T 4 slip. In either of the above situations, you have to identify the non-taxable share of the allowance by entering the corresponding amount in the "Other information" area under-code-70-at-thebottom of the employee's T 4 slip. For more information, see Interpretation Bulletin IT292, Taxation of Elected Officers of Incorporated Municipalities, School Boards, Municipal Commissions and Similar Bodies. Note For 2019 and later tax years, non -accountable allowances paid to elected officers will be included in their income. This change was stated in the 2017 federal budget, which received royal assent on June 22, 2017 (Bill C 44). Date modified: 2017-12-15 https://vVvvw.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency /services/tax/businesses/topics/payrol 1/benefi ts- 10/30/2018 In addition, Budget 2017 confirms that the First -Time Donor's Super Credit will be allowed to expire in 2017 as planned, due to its low take-up, small average amounts donated, and the overall generosity of existing tax assistance for charitable donations. Providing Greater Consistency Budget 2017 also makes changes to improve consistency in the treatment of similar kinds of income and the consistency of tax measures with other priorities of the Government and current economic conditions. Employee Benefits and Allowances In today's workforce, many Canadians receive benefits —such as a daily food allowance or transit fare —which are counted as taxable income. Yet certain tax measures allow some individuals to pay less than their fair share of taxes on such benefits. These measures are unfair and they lack a strong policy rationale. To improve consistency, Budget 2017 proposes to: • Eliminate the deduction in respect of employee home relocation loans. Evidence suggests that this deduction disproportionately benefits the wealthy, and does little to help the middle class and those working hard to join it. • Remove the tax exemptions for non -accountable expense allowances paid to members of provincial and territorial legislative assemblies and to certain municipal office -holders. This exemption is only available to certain provincial, territorial and municipal office holders, and provides an advantage that other Canadians do not enjoy. Fossil Fuel Subsidies The Government has a strong plan to invest in clean growth that will help create middle class jobs and get the country on the path to a low -carbon economy. Consistent with this plan, Canada has made a commitment with its partners in the G20 and Asia -Pacific Economic Cooperation to phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies. Such subsidies can encourage wasteful consumption, impede investment in clean energy sources, and undermine efforts to combat the threat of climate change. Attachment #2 Addendum Report COD-029-18 If this information is required in an alternate format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131. The Corporation of the Municipality of Clarington By-law No. 2018-XX Being a By-law to update the compensation applicable to Mayor and Members of Council and to amend By-law No. 2011-005 to remove references to the 1/3 tax free allowance and change the age for OMERS deductions to stop. Whereas the 2017 Federal Budget eliminated the 1/3 tax free allowance, And whereasBy-law No. 2011-005 provides for a 1/3 tax free allowance applied to the local level remuneration in accordance with Section 283(5) of the Municipal Act, 2001; And whereasBy-law 2011-005 requires an amendment to remove reference to the allowance going forward; 1. Now therefore the Council of the Municipality of Clarington enacts as follows:That By-law 2011-005 be amended as follows: a) Section B Delete section B referencing 1/3 Tax Free Allowance, in its entirety; b) Section D 3 Subsection 2. Delete the words ""OMERS equivalent" pension contribution paid on current remuneration; and Subsection 3. Delete the word "69" and replace it with the word 71", in accordance with OMERS criteria. 2. This By-law shall be effective January 1, 2019. By-law passed in open session this 17t" day of December, 2018. Adrian Foster, Mayor C. Anne Greentree, Municipal Clerk