Elected officials in the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville will see an increase in their pay and a boost to their technology allowance starting in 2027, following a decision made by Counties Council on June 25, 2026.
According to the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, the compensation package approved for the next council term includes annual cost-of-living adjustments, a one-time 10 percent pay raise in 2027, and a higher electronic device allowance.
The device allowance will jump from $800 to $1,200 per term, giving councillors and the warden more money to cover costs for phones, laptops, or tablets used for county business. Conference meal per diem rates will also be reviewed each year to keep them in line with national standards.
County officials say the changes will help keep compensation competitive with other upper-tier municipalities in Ontario. Nearby SDG Counties, for example, recently raised its warden salary to $52,518 and councillor pay to $22,014, marking increases of 25.2 and 40.6 percent respectively. Currently, the warden in Leeds and Grenville earns about $51,000 a year, while councillors make roughly $21,500.
Leeds Grenville Council is made up of 10 mayors from member municipalities, including North Grenville, Rideau Lakes, and Leeds and the Thousand Islands. The warden is elected by council members every two years. The pay adjustments take effect January 1, 2027, meaning they will apply to whoever is elected in the upcoming municipal election.
Residents could see the cost of these changes reflected in future property tax bills. The 2026 county budget totaled $160.5 million, with a 2.46 percent tax levy increase that collected $56.3 million from property taxpayers.
