Barrie seeks to plug mayor into PowerStream coffers

Simcoe.com
April 30, 2015
Laurie Watt

 Mayor Jeff Lehman should be paid for the energy he invests as a PowerStream director.

That’s what councillors decided Monday night, a move that if approved next week, runs contrary to the council remuneration policy, which doesn’t allow anyone to collect extra cash for extra work.

“Two terms ago, we did a good thing to ensure everyone would be paid the same. We eliminated per diems and special committees. In some cases, that would be thousands of dollars,” said Ward 4 Coun. Barry Ward.

“It’s the wrong message to send six months after an election. I know there are arguments about this being a private corporation. On principle, it’s wrong to increase the salary.”

A PowerStream director receives $14,000 per year, plus $650 for each meeting. In a year, the board meets four times. That totals $16,600.

Barrie’s two other PowerStream directors — Ron Stevens and former councillor Lynn Strachan — are paid, as they are not members of council, while the mayors of both Vaughan and Markham collect PowerStream pay as well.

As chairperson, Vaughan’s Maurizio Bevilacqua earns more, with an $18,000 base, plus per diems, while vice-chairperson Markham’s Frank Scarpitti earns $15,000 plus per diems.

By changing Barrie’s policy, councillors initially hoped the unpaid honorarium could go into city coffers, but instead it is retained by PowerStream.

“Mayor Lehman should get this money and if he doesn’t get the money, we don’t get it either,” said Ward 1 Coun. Bonnie Ainsworth.

“I think our mayor is sadly underpaid. He works hard and does a great job and I support him getting this money for him and his family.”

Lehman received a salary of $89,635 as mayor last year, as well as money for mileage and expenses.

Ward 8 Coun. Arif Khan said the mayor earns every cent he gets, so compensating him is only fair.

“We’re not asking taxpayers to reach into their pockets to give the mayor a raise,” he said.

“This comes from another source… (Lehman) will see (PowerStream) through another phase of growth for the benefit of the residents of the City of Barrie.”