Payments to county councillors in 2007 - including allowances and expenses - totalled $219,991.10, according to a report from Treasurer Alan Selby.

Basic remuneration was $134,871.64, including the approximately $1,000 paid each committee chairman. Allowances totalled another $67,335.75, of which one-third is tax free. Mileage and other expenses came to $17,635.

Mr. Selby says in his report that "expenses include registration fees for conferences even though they are paid directly to the conference organizers and are not paid to the member of council, but rather paid on behalf of the member attending."

Basic pay for the warden is $23,291.57 plus the allowance of about $11,645. His mileage and other expenses came to about $9,000 for the year. Some would say the payment is inadequate in terms of time and other demands placed upon the warden by constantly changing legislation.

The basic stipend for councillors is $8,416.39. Committee chairmen are paid a basic $9,426.39. The basic allowance is $4,208.19, and for chairmen $4,713.19.

In 2007, former Melancthon mayor Ron Dillman died after only two months in office. His total payments including allowances and mileage came to about $2,200.

Melancthon councillor John Crowe went to county council as an "interim councillor," and was paid about $350 in total.

The present Melancthon mayor, Debbie Fawcett, served at county for seven months, and received about $7,800 in total. County council is made up of the mayors and deputy mayors of six of the eight municipalities, and only the mayors of East Garafraxa and East Luther Grand Valley.

Income at county council is in addition to whatever the members are paid by their local councils.