CGRC councillors have voted for their fees to stay the same over the 2020-21 financial year, as recommended by the local government remuneration tribunal determination.
There was little support for a suggestion by Cr David Graham that the fees should be reduced by 25%.
Cr Charlie Sheahan moved that the current annual fees, of $12,160 for councillors and $26,530 for the mayor, be maintained.
"I'm sorry I'm not in favour of that with Cr Graham.
"I understand the motive but I'm here to work and the hours I put in, we're far from being fairly remunerated.
"We certainly deserve it, with what we have to do with this council being a merged council.
"It's difficult because we've got to travel between two towns and service virtually two communities."
Deputy mayor Dennis Palmer said every month councillors received in excess of 400 pages of agenda documents.
"If you're doing your duty it will burn the best part of a weekend and the next day to do your due diligence and phone calls. Nearly 700 pages for this meeting!"
Mayor McAlister said it wasn't just meetings and outings, I'd like to know how many phone calls and emails I get a day, but it takes up a fair bit of time.
Cr Sheahan added that he was also on a few subcommittees he had to attend to and report back to council on.
"I have no qualms about accepting what we accept. We're certainly not overpaid, in fact it even gets to the point where it is a financial and social burden, but we do it because we care about our community - we don't do it for the money."
NEW DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER
The meeting was joined by Kay Whitehead, appointed part-time deputy general manager in April.
Ms Whitehead worked for 30 years with the former Tumbarumba Shire, and has expertise in finance and corporate and community services.
Although still resident in the Upper Murray, she is working three days a week, based in Cootamundra.
