The overall allocation will remain the same, but the distribution among city councillors will have to be adjusted.
Cr Cherry Lucas is in line for a significant pay rise as the new deputy mayor, but she could get about $4000 less annually than the remuneration Cr Sophie Barker was on when she had the role.
The difference is because Cr Lucas is deputy chairwoman of a council committee and Cr Barker, who resigned as deputy mayor this month, will continue to chair the strategy, planning and engagement committee.
Remuneration is set by the Remuneration Authority, but councils are able to recommend how pay should be allocated among councillors, depending on their responsibilities.
In a proposal for the Dunedin City Council to consider next week, it is signalled the allocation for the deputy mayor could be revised down from $110,475 to $106,241.
Councillors who chair committees could have their allocation adjusted from $90,979 to $90,144, and the rate for deputy chairs could shift from $77,982 to $77,266.
The rate for councillors without extra responsibilities could be tweaked by $24, reducing it from $72,783 to $72,759.
Cr Barker resigned as deputy mayor after citing difficulties working with Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich.
She suggested a series of media comments by the mayor had undermined the integrity of the council and said what she called a breach of a confidential part of a meeting by the mayor had been the final straw.
Cr Lucas is set to be formally confirmed as the new deputy mayor at Monday’s meeting.
Remuneration at the council has previously been a point of contention.
Shortly after last year’s election, a pay scale was proposed that the Remuneration Authority labelled unfair.
An adjusted proposal ended up being approved.
The council is required to revisit the issue, because it would overshoot the total allocation if it does not.
If the council endorses the proposed revised allocation, it will be forwarded to the authority for consideration.
A determination could be made in mid-October, backdated to Monday next week.
Cr Barker was part of the council’s audit and risk subcommittee while deputy mayor.
In a report for next week’s meeting, Mr Radich noted the new deputy mayor was already a member of the subcommittee, as Cr Lucas was deputy chairwoman of the finance and council-controlled organisations committee.
He recommended Cr Barker not be replaced on the subcommittee.
At a meeting in November last year, the council confirmed its representatives for a Local Government New Zealand regional zone would be Mr Radich, Cr Barker and Cr Kevin Gilbert.
Mr Radich said Cr Barker was appointed because she was deputy mayor.
He has recommended Cr Lucas replace her in that role.
Cr Lucas has said she would like to remain the council’s representative on the Mosgiel-Taieri Community Board and the board has expressed a desire to keep her.
