By Susan Tromanhauser
Grey Highlands coun. Dane Nielsen suggested the public urge Haliburton County councils to form a remuneration committee, like the one in his rural area, during a Haliburton Highlands Healthy Democracy Project public meeting March 25 in Minden.
The Voices and Votes speaker series also heard from former Dysart et al councillors Andrea Roberts and Pat Kennedy and former Algonquin Highlands coun. Carol Moffatt.
Nielsen’s township is a rural community, similar to Haliburton County.
The out-of-town politician said a non council committee in his municipality determined appropriate compensation, which included salary with the same cost of-living raises as staff, along with benefits and mileage.
“If you want someone to learn about sewers and take it seriously, they need to commit serious hours.”
Nielsen added, “no one should be acclaimed – you want the best people.”
There were numerous acclamations across the Highlands in the 2022 municipal election, and voter turnout was low, birthing the HHHDP for the Oct. 26, 2026 poll.
Kennedy acknowledged compensation may be too low to attract young people needing to balance family and work life. With most meetings in the daytime, it discourages working people, but, “if they changed meetings to evenings, the costs would rise to pay staff overtime,” he said.
Compensation ranges across the County are fairly consistent. Highlands East mayor Dave Burton was the lowest paid in 2025
at $32,500 and Dysart et al mayor Murray Fearrey the highest at $40,000. Algonquin Highlands mayor Liz Danielsen made $38,000 with Minden Hills mayor Bob Carter getting just over $38,000.
Deputy mayors received between $25,000 30,000, with councillors paid between $20,000-25,000. Officials that sit on County
council receive extra pay.
Roberts told the crowd of almost 100 her experience taught her “to take pleasure in the mundane things, like reviewing zoning
bylaws.”
Kennedy agreed “you learn to like” discussions about septic systems but there are also highlights of seeing public projects come to fruition and being able to say, ‘I was part of that’.” He cited the visitor centre in Head Lake Park and the Fleming College residence as examples.
Moffatt acknowledged projects sometimes start, but are not completed in a term. She said municipal operations take longer than
private projects. She advised patience.
“You don’t have to like the rules, but you need to work within the rules (of local government).”
The panel members expressed concern about dealing with angry constituents, or fellow councillors. Moffat advised, “you’re supposed to disagree – council should be made up of divergent opinions, different backgrounds.”
Kennedy added it is the role of a councillor to talk with staff and colleagues in a way to “agree to disagree and still go to lunch with them.” He added “people will stop you in the grocery store, and it is important to listen actively and with compassion.” But Kennedy does not
like social media as a method to engage, advising potential candidates “stay off Facebook.”
Nielsen said constituents “are not mad at you, they are mad at the situation. I’ve been called a bleep on Facebook, but not to
my face.” Nielsen believes debate makes communities the best they can be. He added being a local politician is an opportunity to
network with other councillors across the province and learn good ideas to bring back home.
Advice also came from the crowd when former Minden reeve Jeanne Anthon suggested everyone read the local newspaper for facts, not opinions, to learn more.
Haliburton Highlands Healthy Democracy Project next meeting: April 21 Stanhope Community Centre, Lauren Hunter – How to run a successful campaign.
