Huntsville Council approve councilor raises

The increases take effect next term

Huntsville Council voted in favour of a pay raise for the next term, in the June 25, 2025, General Committee meeting.

Staff indicated that according to the Market Comparison Table the Deputy Mayor and Council positions are below the 35^th percentile, and recommended pay increases to align within a 40^th percentile of municipal comparators.

Market comparators included are Orillia, East Gwillimbury, Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Oro Medonte, Bracebridge, Essex, Gravenhurst, Springwater, Innisfil, and Essa.

Committee agreed to increasing their Deputy Mayor pay to the 40^th percentile and its Council members to a 35^th percentile.

According to the report, the Deputy Mayor’s increase results in a $5,814 (23.4%) increase, bringing his salary to $34,603.

Councillor increases result in a $2,165 (11.2%) increase, bringing their salaries to $28,247.

The Mayor’s rate is currently at a 65^th percentile, therefore, an increase will not be applied “until the base rate meets the current pay percentile,” indicates the report.

The increases don’t include the additional pay for those that are District of Muskoka Councillors who recently approved a 48% raise for themselves.

Committee also approved additional benefits that include $2,000 annually for healthcare, and IT and communication equipment (i.e. laptops and cell phones), per diems, conference and meeting allowances, and developing a process for the increases.

Councillor, Dione Schumacher, inquired about whether they all had to “opt in” given that it would mean she has three cell phones, which she wasn’t in favour of.

Staff indicated that once the benefits have been approved it’s an “all in type of approach” where all Councillors will be provided with them regardless of whether they need or want them. This applies to the health benefits as well.

Staff recommended “If you have a plan with another employer you can do-ordinate benefits which will help you and your family.”

Councillor, Cory Clarke, was not in favour of this increase. He said, “There aren’t many people in Huntsville seeing wage increases… Council pay should reflect that.”

Clarke added that he supports a “cost of living pay increase, so we don’t go too far behind.”

Councillor, Scott Morrison, agreed with Clarke, especially considering that Huntsville Council voted against the District pay increases. He said, “We have to remember whose money is supporting these pay increases.”

Other members expressed concerns with falling to far behind its comparators, the time involved with their positions, and attracting new members.

They all voted in favour of the 40^th percentile increase for the Deputy Mayor. Clarke and Morrison voted against the 35^th percentile increase for Councillor members but were outnumbered.

The increases will be in effect for the upcoming 2026-2030 term of Council.

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