Scott Hamilton claimed the largest expenses among members of Delta's council in 2012, according to the annual council remuneration and expenses report released at the last council meeting.
Between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2012, Hamilton claimed $9,434.66, more than second-place spender Jeannie Kanakos, who claimed $8,951.32.
The most frugal councillor was Robert Campbell, who at $4,214.84 claimed just eight per cent of the seven-member council's $52,505.92 total.
Mayor Lois Jackson expensed $6,610 for her role on council, and a further $1,578.65 for her role on the Delta Police Board.
Council's total remuneration in 2012 was $485,162.98 with a further $6,473.71 in benefits, which represents a 10.3 per cent increase from the previous year. That's because last year council approved an 11.9 per cent increase to councillor pay—$49,294.44 from $44,048—while the mayor received a 6.3 per cent bump—$110,460.34 from $103,932.
Council's pay is based on a formula that compares their remuneration to those of four Metro Vancouver municipalities with similar populations—Coquitlam, Richmond, Township of Langley and the District of North Vancouver.
Council's car allowance also increased this year by $200 per month per council member, costing the Corporation $78,936 in total, or a 27 per cent increase. The rationale cited for this last year was to reflect the increasing cost of fuel, insurance and vehicle maintenance.
Annual remuneration reports of council are a requirement under the Community Charter, which outlines what the mayor and each councillor earned in base pay, car allowance, benefits and total expenses related to their duties in office.