It’s nice work if you can get it – 642 of the city’s employees made more than $75,000 in 2014, up by 52 from 590 in 2013, according to the city’s most recent Statement of Financial Information.
In total, city staff made $142.51 million last year.
The highest salary went to the city manager, Bob Moncur, who made $255,471 and was paid out $9,157 owed from the previous year (prior year amounts include unused vacation and overtime).
Joining him in the $200,000-plus club are deputy city manager Lambert Chu ($204,856, as well as $7,311 from the previous year and $289 for expenses); director of engineering Leon Gous ($203,834, plus $2,588 from the previous year and $1,166 for expenses); director of finance Denise Jorgenson ($201,829, as well as $7,198 from the previous year and $4,891 for expenses); and deputy city manager Chad Turpin ($201,264 plus $7,311 from the previous year).
Twenty-two employees made more than $150,000, with 186 in total making more than $100,000.
Mayor Derek Corrigan also made more than $100,000, coming in at $126,639 for 2014. He also received an $11,932 retiring allowance, a $13,831 transportation allowance, $2,000 for cell phone and Internet costs, and a $7,048 taxable benefit, according to the schedule of remuneration expenses.
The retiring allowance is paid to mayor and council each year, as they cannot participate in the city’s pension plan.
He claimed $1,846 for travel and expenses, with the highest amount going towards the Union of B.C. Municipalities annual conference in Whistler.
Seven city councillors made $56,987 in 2014, with former councillor Richard Chang making $52,281 and Coun. James Wang, who was sworn in last December, making $4,706.
The councillors all received a $5,709 retiring allowance and a transportation $3,600 allowance, as well as varying amounts to cover cell phones and Internet, and the taxable benefit.
Coun. Colleen Jordan received the highest amount for cell phones and Internet – $2,542 – as well as the highest taxable benefit for councillors – $5,752.
Coun. Sav Dhaliwal had the highest travel and expenses claim at $13,683, with the majority of costs going towards Federation of Canadian Municipalities conferences and the UBCM annual conference. Dhaliwal is president of the UBCM and sits on the FCM board of directors.
Chang had one travel and expenses claim – $5,677 for the Canadian Art Expo in Guiyang Guizhou, China, last April. He was the only councillor to attend.
Coun. Pietro Calendino claimed $8,719 in travel and expenses; Coun. Nick Volkow claimed $6,348; and Coun. Paul McDonell claimed $4,467.
Jordan, Coun. Dan Johnston and Coun. Anne Kang did not claim any travel and expenses; nor did Wang.
