Councillor Bhangu donating raise to soup kitchen

In 2019, Merritt City Council voted in favour of giving themselves and future councils a raise in pay.

The raise increased the Mayor’s salary to $36,582 and Councillors to $17,394. Previously, Mayor Linda Brown is making $25,984 and Council $15,590.

During the debate on the remuneration bylaw, Coun. Mike Bhangu attempted multiple times, unsuccessfully, to amend the bylaw to have the raise take effect after the next municipal election.

Following the decision to increase wages, Bhangu pledged to give his raise back to the community every year.

For 2020, Bhangu has chosen to support a local non-profit.

“The other day I was walking out of the gym and I looked over at the Church, where they have a soup kitchen, and there was a massive lineup. It broke my heart. I’m going to give my raise to the soup kitchen,” said Bhangu.

Bhangu is also challenging others in the community, with the means, to step up and join him in supporting the soup kitchen.

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