Town of Banff

Job Description

The Mayor and Council are responsible for:

• Developing and evaluating the policies and programs of the municipality;
• Making sure that the powers, duties and functions of the municipality are properly carried out; and
• Carrying out the powers, duties and functions especially given to it under the Municipal Government Act or any other enactment.

Term

The Mayor and Councillors serve three-year terms.  The 2010 Council will be sworn in within a week of the general election and remain in place until October 2013.

Salary

The Mayors’ annual salary is $35,000.  Councillors receive $17, 500.  Salaries are paid bi-weekly.  There are also health benefits available, and compensation for travel outside the municipality.

• Council Compensation Policy ( PDF - 98 kb)
  

Council’s Powers

The powers of all municipal government are delegated from higher levels of government. In Banff, the primary enabling legislation includes:

• The Federal-Provincial Incorporation Agreement
• The Municipal Government Act of Alberta

Some of the primary ways Council exercises their power to guide the municipality are:

• Approval and monitoring of the annual operating and capital budgets.  Through budget approval, Council decides which programs and projects will be supported by municipal revenue.
• Finance and Taxes

• Approval of bylaws. Bylaws are local laws, many of which set general standards for people living and working in the community.  For example, local bylaws govern the collection and disposal of waste, the use of our streets & public places, and the regulations surrounding taxi businesses.
• Town of Banff Bylaws

• The setting of annual strategic priorities. Every year, Council agrees on several priorities that help them allocate funding in the budget process and provide direction to Town staff.
• Council Strategic Priorities for 2010
  

Powers of Individual Council Members

Your individual influence on the future of Banff will depend on your ability to persuade other members of Council to adopt your views.

Most decisions of Council are made through a simple majority vote of those present at a public Council meeting. Each member of Council, including the Mayor represents one vote. At a typical meeting, at least four of the seven Council members present must vote in favour of a decision for it to pass.

As an individual Councillor, you may not:

• Commit the Town to expenditures
• Personally direct the activities of Town employees

More information

• Download this information in PDF format ( PDF - 98 kb)
  
• The Banff Community Plan
• The Banff Land Use Bylaw
• Council agenda packages and minutes