Esquimalt council approved a small bump in pay for acting mayors, but only if they take on the role for more than two months in a calendar year.

A motion was passed Monday night that gives councillors a five per cent stipend, or $694, for a minimum of two months of appointed duty.

Councillors currently receive a salary of $13,885, while the mayor receives $34,600.

The previous council had completed a compensation review, but had not identified the need for a stipend in acting mayor pay, said Coun. Dave Hodgins.

“Four councillors supported that request based on fairness and equity,” he said, making reference to Mayor Barb Desjardins’ vote against the motion.

“The mayor could have said, ‘I don’t support an additional cost to the taxpayers, so I’m going to pay the money from my compensation,’ but she didn’t.”

Desjardins said veteran councillors – those on council before last year’s election – wanted the remuneration to undergo a policy review and were the three to vote against.

The mayor determines who is designated acting mayor in their absence.

dpalmer@vicnews.com