Inuvik (Aug 27/04) - Being the mayor of Inuvik could come with a full-time salary and responsibilities if council passes a motion Sept. 8 to augment the roll of municipal leader and honorariums paid to the deputy mayor and councillors.

Currently a part-time position, being mayor comes with a $26,547 annual salary and expense account not to exceed $13,253. The change would see those figures double.

Citing the gas development and possible pipeline project as the rationale for the proposed changes, Mayor Peter Clarkson says his job requires a lot of time and commitment.

"(Being mayor) has probably been full-time for the last two years," he said. "As we get closer to the pipeline and dealing with compensation issues for the municipal infrastructure, there's going to be a lot on the town's plate."

Clarkson says that as it's a municipal election year, the changes have to be made before the nominations close Sept. 13 "to let people know what's happening and to let candidates know what they are getting involved in."

Inuvik's municipal election is scheduled for Oct. 21.

Salary comparison

With town council looking to up the salary and responsibility of Inuvik's mayor, The Drum took a look at how this town's headquarters compares with other similarly-sized communities in the NWT.

Inuvik Population: 3,400

Mayor's salary: $26,547 (part-time) and $13,253 (max) for expenses
Number of councillors: 8
Administrative staff at town hall: 19

Hay River Population: 4,000+

Mayor's salary: $35,000 (part-time), no expense account
Number of councillors: 8
Administrative staff at town hall: 10 (approximately)

Fort Smith Population: 2,800

Mayor's salary: $33,000 (part-time), no expense account
Number of councillors: 7
Administrative staff at town hall: 5

Yellowknife Population: 18,000

Mayor's salary: $58,587 (full-time), expenses included in salary -- no specific figure available at press time
Councillors: 8
Administrative staff: 55 (approximately)