By Sarah Mitchell, The Appleton Times
KINGSTON, Ontario — In a move aimed at bolstering compensation for its elected officials while reining in costs, Kingston city council approved a significant pay raise for the next term but dialed back ambitious plans to expand administrative support and transition roles to full-time status. The decision, passed in a 12-1 vote on Wednesday, sets the stage for the 2026-2030 council term, with the mayor's annual salary increasing to $153,510 and district councillors' base pay rising to $53,550, effective November 15, 2026.
The vote came as part of the approval of the Council Resourcing Review Working Group's report, which sought to address longstanding concerns about the demands of serving on council. Originally, the report proposed tripling dedicated administrative staff for district councillors from one full-time employee to three, a change intended to help manage growing workloads and attract a wider pool of candidates. However, amendments introduced during the debate significantly altered that vision, reflecting fiscal caution amid public scrutiny over municipal spending.
Councillor Brandon Tozzo, who spearheaded one key amendment, announced on social media that his proposal successfully restructured the staffing to include one full-time position, one part-time role, and one summer student position. According to Tozzo, this adjustment will save taxpayers more than $150,000 annually compared to the original plan. Another amendment, put forward by Councillor Greg Ridge, trimmed the proposed council travel budget from $65,000 to $45,000, further emphasizing cost containment.
The debate at the council horseshoe revealed deep divisions over the nature of the councillor role—whether it should remain part-time or evolve into a full-time commitment to better reflect the job's realities. Proponents of fuller support argued that the current part-time structure creates barriers for diverse candidates, particularly those with family obligations or financial constraints. "I think it’s really difficult for people with young families, or people who are single, to run for office, sit in that role and do it on a part-time basis," said Councillor Conny Glenn. "Either they’re struggling financially, or they’re struggling with enough support to do the job."
Councillor Lisa Osanic echoed those sentiments, highlighting the unpredictable and taxing nature of the position. "Every week is different, but every week can also be incredibly exhausting," she noted, underscoring the challenges of balancing council duties with other employment. Yet Osanic also voiced concerns about the risks of mandating full-time service, pointing to the precariousness it could impose on individuals' careers. "It would take a lot to have to quit your job to then be a councillor for what could just be four years, you would have to give up your pension, and then at the end of those four years, having to find a new job," she said.
Opponents of the full-time shift worried that such a change could deter even more potential candidates by amplifying the financial stakes, especially given the fixed four-year term. The approved report acknowledges these tensions but stops short of immediate action, instead recommending that the full-time versus part-time question be revisited later this decade. This review would coincide with a mandated ward boundary assessment, which could influence the overall size and structure of council.
Beyond workload and compensation, the discussion touched on the intense public scrutiny that comes with the job, including a rising tide of online harassment that the report identifies as a major barrier to entry. To address this, the next council term will include mandatory orientation modules on "internet harassment survival techniques," aimed at equipping new members with tools to navigate digital abuse. Councillor Wendy Stephens described the phenomenon as a profound deterrent. "I can absolutely understand why, if someone sees that kind of behaviour online, why they would never wanna subject themselves to it," she said. "Why would you want to put yourself in the line of fire like that? It doesn’t make sense. So for mental well-being, I can absolutely understand the hesitancy."
The push for enhanced resourcing comes against a backdrop of evolving municipal governance in Ontario. Kingston, a city of about 130,000 residents along Lake Ontario, has seen its council grapple with issues ranging from housing affordability to infrastructure upgrades in recent years. The remuneration adjustments mark the first major update since the previous term, aligning with provincial guidelines that tie councillor pay to inflation and population growth. According to city documents, the increases represent roughly a 10% bump from current levels, calibrated to maintain competitiveness without excessive burden on taxpayers.
While the scaled-back staffing and budget changes drew praise from fiscal conservatives on council, others expressed disappointment that the opportunity to modernize the role was missed. The lone dissenting vote came from Councillor Jeff Beukeboom, who reportedly favored the original full-staffing proposal to better support council's oversight of a $500 million annual budget. Supporters of the amendments, however, argued that the hybrid model strikes a practical balance, providing necessary aid without overcommitting resources.
Public reaction, as gleaned from social media and local forums, has been mixed. Some residents welcomed the pay raise as a way to professionalize local government, while others criticized it amid ongoing debates over property taxes, which rose by 3.5% in the current fiscal year. The Kingston and the Islands Chamber of Commerce issued a statement supporting the resourcing enhancements, noting that stronger council support could lead to more effective policy-making on economic development.
Looking ahead, the approved measures set a framework for the upcoming election cycle, with nominations opening in May 2026. The ward boundary review, slated for 2028, could reshape representation in the 12-district system, potentially expanding or contracting council to better reflect demographic shifts. In the interim, current councillors will continue operating under the existing part-time structure, with base salaries at $48,680 for districts and $138,645 for the mayor.
The decision also highlights broader trends in Canadian municipal politics, where cities like Toronto and Ottawa have debated similar transitions to full-time roles. In Kingston, the working group's report drew on consultations with over 50 stakeholders, including former councillors and governance experts, to inform its recommendations. Though the full-time debate is deferred, the inclusion of harassment training signals a proactive stance on member well-being, an issue gaining traction nationwide following high-profile cases of online vitriol against politicians.
As Kingston prepares for its next chapter of leadership, the resourcing vote underscores the delicate balance between empowering elected officials and stewarding public funds. With elections looming, aspiring candidates may weigh the enhanced pay and support against the persistent challenges of public service. For now, the council's hybrid approach offers incremental progress, leaving the door open for future evolution.
The full report, now ratified, will guide administrative preparations over the coming months, with human resources tasked to implement the new staffing model by the term's start. City clerk Denise MacKenzie confirmed that orientation sessions, including the new modules, are already in development. "We're committed to ensuring our councillors have the tools they need to serve effectively," she said in a post-meeting briefing.
In the end, Wednesday's proceedings reflect Kingston's ongoing effort to adapt its governance to modern demands, even as it navigates fiscal realities and diverse viewpoints. The pay raise and moderated supports may not resolve all tensions, but they provide a foundation for the next term's work on pressing local issues, from climate resilience to community equity.