Council for the Rural Municipality of Ritchot has approved a pay raise for the Mayor and councillors.

Prior to now, councillors were earning $17,380.92 per year, while Mayor Chris Ewen took in $33,955.39 annually. Council has approved the increase which will see councillors now make $18,000, while the Mayor will collect $35,000.

"As I've seen from July, I've seen our councillors miss work time and take off their vacation time and their hard earned hours at their other work," says Ewen. "They lose that opportunity to spend time with their families and friends and go on vacations and they are spending it here working with the RM."

One ratepayer has reminded council that this is an increase of more than three percent, when the cost of living increase in Manitoba is only half that amount.

Ewen says councillors deserve the extra money.

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Ritchot Mayor Says Pay Raise Would Be Money Well Earned