Tisdale mayor resigns, citing low pay and heavy demands

TISDALE — Tisdale residents will soon head to the polls after Mayor Roy Skoglund resigned Aug. 14.

Skoglund was elected in November 2024 to replace long-serving mayor Al Jellicoe.

“I have made the difficult decision to resign as mayor for the Town of Tisdale,” Skoglund said in a statement. “This decision was not made lightly. Serving as mayor has been an incredible honour, and I am proud of the work we have accomplished for our community. However, the reality is that the demands of the role, combined with the lack of fair remuneration, have made it increasingly challenging to balance my responsibilities to both my family and the community.”

He added that the position requires “time, energy and commitment” to represent residents effectively, and urged council and the community to consider how fair compensation could ensure sustainable leadership in the future.

According to the town, the mayor’s current annual remuneration is $20,000. In the 2024 operating budget, council’s total remuneration was $84,862, with additional pay provided for attending out-of-town meetings.

In comparison, Nipawin council recently approved an increase that set the mayor’s annual remuneration at $27,394, while councillors will receive $13,697 each.

A by-election will be required to fill the mayor’s seat. Deputy mayor Amanda Reynolds will serve in the interim. The deputy mayor position in Tisdale rotates among councillors, according to the Town of Tisdale.

In an official statement, the Town of Tisdale said, “Serving on council is both an honour and a challenge, requiring dedication to legislative responsibilities and an unwavering commitment to the community. Council assures residents that we remain united in our commitment to work collaboratively, guided by a strong sense of public service and a focus on the greater good.”