The salary hike was approved by District council Monday during a closed session discussion. It will take effect immediately to increase management and non-union staff salaries by three per cent retroactive to Jan. 1 of this year. Staff will receive another three per cent pay increase Jan. 1, 2009.

The increases will affect 66 staff members.

In a separate motion, council also approved a resolution to give staff 15 days of vacation per year. The resolution will affect management and non-union staff who have been with the municipality for one to four years.

Previously, the district offered staff incremental increases in vacation days for the first several years.

Monday’s motions follow news in last week’s newspaper that 11 of the district’s top management staff made a combined $1.3 million in 2007.