That's the most a mayor has ever made; Aspden claimed $6,000 in car allowance and $10,079.55 in expenses, in addition to his $89,473.63 honorarium for the city's only full-time political post.

The previous council set the pay scale in 2005, to go into effect in the last election. The city is preparing to do the same thing for the council that will be elected in November 2010.

Spending on the 10 councillors totalled $405,939.94.

Ward 10 Coun. Alex Nuttall claimed the most in expenses - $8,615.42 - last year, slightly ahead of Ward 8's Jerry Moore, at $7,957.93. Councillors also receive a $2,100 car allowance, in addition to their $30,231.17 honorarium for what the city considers a part-time job.

Costs for the city cellphone and e-mail plan are included in councillors' expenses, and Nuttall said that's a big part of what councillors are charged corporately.

"It's a ton of small things that add up. When you have long-distance calls, a cell bill, data - every time we get an email, we're charged - it adds. There were newsletters and postage," he said.

"This is the cost for me to do what I said I would do - be accessible."

Nuttall handed out 5,000 reusable grocery bags, and included a postcard with his contact information. He said he receives a lot of calls and e-mails from residents, has held open houses for residents and also has a newsletter and website.

Mayor Dave Aspden $105,553.18

Councillors

John Brassard $34,810.12

Rod Jackson $34,618.40

Jeff Lehman $37,102.80

Jerry Moore $40,289.10

Alex Nuttall $40,946.59

Andrew Prince $37,345.26

Michael Prowse $37,213.46

Mike Ramsay $36,686.38

Lynn Strachan $35,265.95

Barry Ward $35,830.94