Mun. of Yarmouth staff seeking higher travel rate

Staff for the Municipality of Yarmouth are asking council to take a look at the mileage it pays its employees.

At last week's regular meeting it was heard that other municipalities provide vehicles for staff to do day-to-day business, which is generally not the case for the Municipality of Yarmouth. That money, deputy CAO Trudy LeBlanc pointed out, isn't just to cover gas but also for wear and tear of vehicles. LeBlanc said the Town of Yarmouth is now providing vehicles for some of its staff.

Although councillors seemed to feel the rate, which stands at $0.445/km, is fine and that there isn't justification to raise it, they also considered that perhaps the rate could be changed for those staff that are consistently on the road for work.

Deputy Warden Brian Noble suggested a proposal be brought forward for providing compensation for staff that uses their own vehicles for day-to-day business.

"I think there's a real argument . . . that they should probably have a higher rate than perhaps (councillors) would," he said, suggesting that a formula could be an either/or of a flat rate or fee/km.

Councillor Daniel Muise suggested council look into buying a small car or truck that could be used by staff for day-to-day operations. Right now much of the Department of Leisure Services staff and development staff are using their own vehicles.