A much discussed “sunshine list” that would shed light on municipal salaries is destined for more debate. The issue came before city council’s priorities and finance committee on September 30 but ended in a 4-4 vote and a decision to send it to council for discussion on October 6.
Councillors are still torn over just how much information such a list should disclose with some arguing to exclude the Calgary police and those at the city’s subsidiary corporations. Coun. Richard Pootmans suggested the city could save money by only compiling a list of staff paid more than $100000 annually and Coun. Peter Demong wants one that would only list the number of employees in each of several “salary bands.”
Some committee members also expressed concern over privacy issues that may arise if staff earnings are disclosed as well as the possibility staff could point to higher-paid coworkers’ salaries when vying for a raise. Coun. Ward Sutherland says sunshine lists already exist in other jurisdictions without significant problems.
Administration’s report to committee also says municipalities with salary disclosure policies have experienced “minimal” effect on their workforces. The report adds the biggest impact other sunshine lists have had on respective administrations was increased media attention when the lists were published and the cost associated with responding to that media attention.
The motion to disclose city employee compensation was first made by Coun. Diane Colley-Urquhart in January.
