Former mayor was highest paid member of Halton Hills council in 2022

Now retired Mayor Rick Bonnette was the highest paid member of Halton Hills Town Council last year, pulling in more than $130,000.

A report presented at this week’s council meeting showed Bonnette’s salary was $95,711, along with another $32,418 in benefits.

Bonnette’s successor, Ann Lawlor, who had previously been a councillor, was paid $62,612, including $49,078 in salary.

Because 2022 was an election year, the numbers from the Town’s accounting department include both councillors who did not return to public service, as well as a few months of their replacements.

Five councillors who are now gone from council – Wendy Farrow-Reed, Ted Brown, Jon Hurst, Moya Johnson and Bryan Lewis – were paid $37,431 in salary as well as benefits that ranged from about $9,000 to a few hundred dollars.

Four councillors who were re-elected – Clark Somerville, Robet Inglis, Michael Albano and Jane Fogal – were all paid $41,967 in salary along with benefits ranging from $10,0000 to $1,100.

Six new people were elected to Halton Hills council – Jason Brass, Chantal Garneau, D’Arcy Keene, Ron Norris, Joseph Racinsky and Alex Hilson – and were paid $4,698 along with $759 in benefits.

Combined, Halton Hills taxpayers spent $632,000 on the local council.