The City of Estevan鈥檚 public accounts are out, and it shows how much many of the city employees and managers were paid in 2016.
A lot of people might take a first glance at the document and question why it鈥檚 anyone business how much these employees are paid, or why this information is released.
The counter argument is our tax dollars pay these wages, and so if we want to know how much each employee and manager is paid (among those who make at least $50,000), then we have that right to know.
The figures show that the people who you would expect to be well-compensated 鈥� the city manager, the police chief, the engineer, the police officers and veteran managers and employees 鈥� were indeed well-paid last year. And a significant number of employees make at least $50,000 per year.
Some of the wages can be traced back to the boom years. Whether we like it or not, the city had to pay its employees a very competitive wage during the economic boom years from 2006 to 2014. It meant employees in leisure services, public works and other departments were going to make more than their counterparts in other communities.
And, of course, the managers should be paid a wage that is competitive with the other small cities 鈥� Weyburn, Yorkton, Swift Current and North Battleford.
Keep this in mind before griping on coffee row about how much a manager makes, or how much city employees are paid.
And there is an element of 鈥測ou get what you pay for.鈥� The current administration has done a very good job of steering the community in the last couple of years.
Snow removal might be the best example. The city was hammered by five significant snowstorms in 2016-17.
Many of us remember the frustration associated with snow removal in the past. Roads were impassible for days after some snowstorms.
Yes, there were still a few complaints associated with snow removal this past winter, and the total cost of snow removal was way over-budget, but people were generally happy with the streets after the snow was cleared, and were willing to look past the cost.
The city鈥檚 appearance has also taken a step forward. There鈥檚 still a lot of work that remains, but the volume of phone calls and letters to the editor regarding appearance is down from even a couple years ago.
The city鈥檚 financial picture is also healthier than it was even a few years ago. The debt is down considerably. The city has steered through issues related to the recession in the community.
Our taxes also pay for the Estevan Police Service. The vast majority of residents will say the EPS does a pretty good job, and deserve to be well-compensated.
There will always be controversies facing any level of government, regardless of whether it鈥檚 municipal, provincial or federal. And the city has faced some this year, such as the line painting on King Street after the widening and resurfacing project was completed. (Motorists who failed to adapt to the change also deserve blame).
But there was an acknowledgement of a mistake, and a step was taken to correct it.
We do get what we pay for. And local residents should feel a little more comfortable that we鈥檙e getting our money鈥檚 worth with the present administration. 聽
