Nelson mayor Rachel Reese at the inaugural meeting of the new Nelson City Council term last Thursday. Photo: Andrew Board.

Council staff pay revealed at meeting

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The salary of Nelson City Council’s chief executive has risen to $309,426, according to figures released by the council at last week’s inaugural meeting of the new term.

Mayor Rachel Reese and all 12 councillors were sworn in at the meeting in front of friends, family and city leaders.

Along with four new councillors getting used to the new surroundings, committee chairs were also announced.

Ian Barker will chair the governance committee, Brian McGurk and mayor Rachel Reese will jointly chair planning and regulatory committee, Gaile Noonan will chair community services, Tim Skinner will chair the newly-created sports and recreation committee and Paul Matheson the works and infrastructure committee.

Reese says the councillors are here to serve Nelson.

“I want to say to the community that I have met with all of the councillors, and there is an enthusiasm and energy that inspires me as mayor. These are people who have stepped forward for the right reasons to serve their community.”

Tucked towards the back of the agenda at the meeting was the remuneration of council staff and elected officials.

CEO Clare Hadley is the highest paid staff member, with her salary rising from $300,866 the year before.

Reese earned $130,388, a rise of $5500 from the year before.

The figures show the council employs 251 people, 163 of those are full time.

Six employees are on a salary of between $120,000 and $219,999, with another 13 employees on a salary of between $100,000 and $119,999.

Twenty-nine are on $80,000 to $99,999 and 83 between $60,000 and $79,999. The other 119 are on less than $60,000.