NORD salaries defended

By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star StaffMay 11 2007 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/

Some hefty salaries are being handed out at the North Okanagan Regional District office. NORD has released its financial information for 2006 and it shows $4.5 million in total salaries and expenses, including $1.1 million for 12 employees earning more than $75,000 a year. “It’s the cost of doing the people’s business,” said Jerry Oglow, regional district chairman. “Our salaries are competitive in the marketplace and typical of that level of responsibility.” Topping the list was former chief administrative officer Barry Gagnon with a salary of $164,877 and $6,937 in expenses. Part of that includes severance.

Next is Brian Reardon, current administrator and former corporate officer, with a salary of $109,911 and $13,659 in expenses. Greg Betts, Electoral Area Services Committee manager, had a salary of $93,362 and expenses of $9,773. Others include Michael Stamhuis, director of engineering with $92,918 in wages and $6,543 in expenses; and chief financial officer Alan Harris with $93,104 in wages and $6,199 in expenses. Most of the expenses are related to professional development workshops and lobbying senior government in Vancouver and Victoria. “You can’t sit at a desk in Vernon and understand all of the intricacies. You have to talk to your peers and those introducing legislation,” said Oglow. But even with wages that Oglow describes as “fair and reasonable,” they aren’t enough to keep people at NORD. There is considerable demand for trained professionals and staff are moving on to more lucrative jobs. “The private sector has the bucks and other municipal jurisdictions are ruthless in headhunting. And to be fair, we are doing the same,” said Oglow.

The regional district is currently having a difficult time attracting employees. “NORD is not immune from the booming economy. There are not enough planners out there,” said Oglow. “As a result, the timelines for dealing with planning matters is lengthy. It’s not acceptable but that’s the realities of life.” Oglow says options are being considered to speed up the process for reviewing developments, including contracting out and hiring more staff. Considerable pressure, he says, has been placed on existing staff. “We don’t want to burn them out.”