City staff raked in a combined total of $153.83 million last year, with 724 city employees making more than $75,000, according to the city’s newly released statement of financial information. The numbers mark a steady growth from previous years, with 82 more employees hitting the $75,000-plus threshold in 2015 than the year before.
In 2014, 642 city staff brought in more than $75,000 with a combined total of $142.51 million.
The list of City of Burnaby staff who took home the highest salaries in 2015 features many of the same top-earning positions of recent years.
Bob Moncur, city manager (now retired), brought in $269,853, making him once again the most highly paid city staffer.
Following Moncur in the top 10 salaries are: Leon Gous, director of engineering, $216,269; Chad Turpin, deputy city manager, $215,526; Denise Jorgenson, director of finance, $213,145; Lou Pelletier, director of planning and building, $205,401; Dave Ellenwood, director of parks, recreation and cultural services, $202,946; Doug McDonald, fire chief, $194,446; Shari Wallace, chief information officer, $190,167; Bruce Rose, city solicitor, $179,811; and Chris Bowcock, deputy fire chief, $177,835.
Over in council chambers, Mayor Derek Corrigan took home $127,915, just over $1,000 more than the previous year. Corrigan also received $3,840 to cover telephone and internet costs, the highest expense benefit for this category, followed closely by Coun. James Wang, who received $3,571.
All the councillors were also paid a $5,999 retiring allowance, with Corrigan receiving nearly double at $12,547. The mayor and council receive a retiring allowance every year as they are unable to participate in the city’s pension plan.
Councillors each took home a salary of $57,561, but taking into account all benefit amounts, Coun. Colleen Jordan took home top dollar at $77,741.
Coun. Dan Johnston had the highest travel and expenses claim at $20,350, with the majority of costs going towards two of the city’s international appearances: the 50th anniversary Kushiro-Burnaby sister city visit in Korea and Japan, and the FSB trade show in Cologne, Germany.
Jordan was the only councillor to not claim any travel expenses.
