Crossword Genius

The pay for judges? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rates

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'judges?' is the definition.
(rating is a kind of judging)

'the pay for' is the wordplay.
'the pay' becomes 'rate' (I've seen this in other clues).
'for' becomes 's' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'rate'+'s'='RATES'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rates that I've seen before include "Local taxes on commercial property" , "(Old) property taxes" , "Local tax on property" , "List of charges" , "Relative speeds and local taxes" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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