Logan City Council voted unanimously at its monthly meeting to employ 13 council advisors for an extra cost of up to $200,000 a year.
The advisors will be employed to help councillors with administrative tasks. They will screen phone calls, take over social media, and more.
It is understood Councillors will be able to pick and employ their own advisor. They will then be employed under a contract and will not be regarded as a council employee.
The Councillors Expenses and Entitlement Policy had to be amended at the meeting as a result of this, along with the Acceptable Request Guidelines policy.
At the meeting Cr Willcock questioned specifically how much the new council advisors would cost.
“It doesn’t specify if this cost is per year per councillor, per year across all councillors, or just this financial year,” she said.
“It actually states it would be $100,000 to $200,000 more expensive in total across this annual budget.”
Acting CEO Silvio Trinca went on to clarify.
“The report says when fully implemented. So that’s when all council advisors are appointed.
“That is in total across the whole council.”
Councillor Lisa Bradley moved the motion, Councillor Karen Murphy seconded it, and the motion was moved with all councillors voting in favour of appointing new councillor advisors at an extra cost of up to $200,000 per year.
