County of Simcoe councillors collectively took home $731,224 for their duties performed at the county table in 2021, which was slightly more than in 2020.
During their Tuesday meeting, county councillors received a report outlining the remuneration they received in 2021. While the warden and deputy warden positions are paid through a flat rate, county councillors are paid a base rate annually, plus a per diem for each attended meeting.
Costs listed under council expenses include mileage and the costs associated with county councillors attending conferences, meetings and related travel expenses.
Corporate expenses include payments made on behalf of members of council from public funds, which would include statutory and insurance benefits.
In 2021, County of Simcoe Warden George Cornell made $84,693 for performing the warden role, as well as $4,072 in council expenses and $5,000 in corporate expenses. This was a decrease from 2020, where he took home $85,402, as well as $5,676 in council expenses and $4,708 in corporate expenses.
For his county council work, Severn Mayor Mike Burkett was paid $20,230.60, as well as $1,317.34 in corporate expenses. Severn Deputy Mayor Jane Dunlop took home $20,230.60, plus $405.42 in corporate expenses.
Ramara Mayor Basil Clarke received $18,238.54, and $1,169.92 in corporate expenses, while Ramara Deputy Mayor Joe Gough was paid $18,698.12, $610.31 in council expenses and $1,200.50 in corporate expenses.
Oro-Medonte Mayor Harry Hughes received $21,653.50, $610.31 in council expenses and $433.17 in corporate expenses. Oro-Medonte Deputy Mayor Ralph Hough took home $16,246.48, and $327.72 in corporate expenses, while alternate Coun. Shawn Scott, of Oro-Medonte, was paid $569.16, as well as $27.44 in corporate expenses.
This is in addition to the pay they received for their duties with their respective municipalities.
Midland Mayor Stewart Strathearn brought in $20,230 in 2021, as well as $610 in council expenses and $1,219 in corporate expenses. In 2020, Strathearn made $20,156, with $560 in council expenses and $1,269 in corporate expenses. Midland Deputy Mayor Mike Ross made $20,799 in 2021, as well as $1,359 in corporate expenses. He didn’t claim any council expenses in 2021. In 2020, Ross made $17,949, while claiming $165 in council expenses and $1,110 in corporate expenses.
Innisfil’s Mayor Lynn Dollin became deputy warden in 2021, and took home $52,582 in pay, $610 in council expenses and $3,711 in corporate expenses. In 2020, Dollin made $26,470 for performing her county duties, with $2,231 in council expenses and $1,724 in corporate expenses. As Dollin also serves on the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit board, she also took home $1,881 for meeting per diems for that role. Innisfil Deputy Mayor Dan Davidson made $17,382 in 2021 at the county, as well as $1,170 in corporate expenses. He had no council expenses claimed in 2021. In 2020, he made $17,379, with $77 in council expenses and $1,069 in corporate expenses.
In total, the 32 members of County of Simcoe council took in $731,224 in 2021 for their county council duties. Combined council expenses totalled $19,129, while corporate expenses totalled $40,495.
This was a slight increase from 2020, where councillors were paid a combined $723,146, as well as $27,625 in council expenses and $38,439 in corporate expenses.
To access the full list of 2021 County of Simcoe council remuneration and expenses, click here.
