Chief executives of local councils in South Australia have taken a step back in personal salary deals to “show an example of financial restraint”, an independent report into local government salary packages shows.

While most CEOs are happy with their lot, the report’s author told InDaily local government bosses are less rewarded than equivalent roles in State Government, private enterprise and interstate councils.

The report, by AME Recruitment, details salary packages in the last four years across almost all 68 metropolitan and regional councils in SA.

Salary packages range from $149,000 in small regional councils to $302,000 in the largest organisation, the Adelaide City Council.

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“They are being contained as councils struggle with financial pressures,” AME’s senior consultant Adam Kennedy said.

“They have had increases that are less than those negotiated by their staff under Enterprise Bargaining Agreements.

“We found that there was a sense that they had to demonstrate restraint as an example.

“That said, they are generally happy with their lot; at the end of the day, there’s not a major difference in salary growth and salary levels, but they are certainly below those of similar organisations in the private sector, the state public sector and comparable interstate local government.”

The report was commissioned by the Local Government Association and will be updated annually.

The association’s Chris Russell said the annual report will be used to provide guidance for councils when setting salary levels.

CEO salary growth on average has been 3.15 per cent in the preceding  four years.

This compares with growth of 3 per cent for State CEOs, 6.84 per cent for State Business Enterprises and respectively 4 per cent for SA Not for Profit Sector, 4-5 per cent for private sector.

Go here to find your council boss’s salary and other benefits.