New councillor Kris Samraj resigns library position, to commit to city full-time

By Medicine Hat News on October 31, 2017.

Two incoming city council members say their positions are full-time jobs.

Phil Turnbull, while retired from a private career in large retail management, says he’ll attend all city committee meetings to get a full grasp of the issues.

Kris Samraj, 37, announced that he’s resigned his job as a librarian to better concentrate on civic duties.

Both men were sworn in on Monday night to become councillors, a position that in Medicine Hat is considered part-time, but includes a variety of duties and appointments to various committees.
Samraj’s include a range of minor committees and work on major standing committee overseeing the public services division.

“I’m excited to get to work, it’s an interesting portfolio,” he told reporters. “I’ve resigned my position with the public library, so I’ll be doing this full-time… I loved my work there, but my primary commitment is to this job.”

In Medicine Hat the mayor’s position is considered full-time, and comes with a base salary of about $60,000, though total compensation is higher when benefits are considered.

Councillors have a base pay of about $23,000 per year, or up to $40,000 with benefits. The average full-time wage in Alberta is $60,000.

Following Monday’s organizational meeting, Turnbull’s key responsibility is to chair the utility committee, but the two-term councillor’s assignments include little else beyond the thrice-yearly audit committee and two library boards.

“Regardless of the appointments, I’m going to every meeting,” he said, of the city’s main four standing committees. “I may not have a vote at them, but I can ask questions and educate myself on their matters.”

Two other major committees involve corporate services (finance) and development and infrastructure.

Samraj will sit on the public services committee, which oversees parks, transit, fire services and cultural and social development. Its is the largest budget or any municipal sector in the city.

Samraj will also be council’s representative on the City Centre Development Agency, Friends of Medalta Society, the Medicine Hat Community Housing Society, and be responsible for hosting civic functions.

As well, Samraj sits on the Regional Drainage Committee, made up of municipalities across southern Alberta, which is developing an overarching overland flood strategy.

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