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By Alessia Proietti

Reducing costs, maintaining commemoratio

Red Deer’s Council Recognition Policy updated; gifts reduced for newly elected

Nov 1, 2023 | 11:55 AM

Red Deer city council approved on Monday an updated Council Recognition Policy that will reduce overall costs by removing some gifts they receive when entering their term.

The Council Recognition Policy is to formally recognize councillors for their service at the time of their election and upon their departure from council. It was last reviewed 10 years ago.

Under the previous policy, newly elected members were able to choose a gift between a gold ring, brooch, bracelet, or necklace. Upon their departure, the City would host a dinner for the councillor and receive a commemorative gift worth up to $250.

While the outgoing gifts remain the same, newly elected councillors will now only receive a standardized lapel pin upon entering their term.

The City states a pin is gender neutral and consistent with identifying items worn by other levels of government.

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After a recent conversation with a local jeweller, administration confirmed a ring would cost $2,500, a pin/pendant would be $695, and a gold chain would cost $200.

With the new policy, officials say the overall financial impact per councillor for their term would be roughly $1,195, down from $2,750. If in a future election all nine incoming members of council were elected for the first time, the net effect of the recommended policy change could reduce costs by approximately $13,995.

The original proposition also included increasing a council member’s outgoing recognition to $500; however, councillors voiced opposition.

Councillor Cindy Jefferies voiced in favor of removing the policy in its entirety to match the treatment of city staff.

Councillor Vesna Higham said while she didn’t know there was a gift for outgoing councillors, she believed it is important to acknowledge and commemorate councillors for their work.

“It is often a very thankless job and a stressful job from time to time, but I think a large portion of our public can relate to the stress of thanklessness; just look at the nurses, what our medical professionals went through during the pandemic, a lot of thankless hours,” she said.

Mayor Ken Johnston says while he understands the desire to reduce costs, it is important to be grateful for the commemorative gift and use it as, “a symbol of the trust placed in me by the community” and a physical reminder when dealing with challenging days.

On Monday, council also set a Special Council Meeting on December 12 to conduct interviews for the new Ethics Advisor/Integrity Commissioner in accordance with the new Code of Conduct Bylaw.

READ: Red Deer city council adopts new Code of Conduct Bylaw

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