The City of Vernon may bring forward a resolution to the upcoming Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) meeting requesting that the threshold for wage disclosure for municipal employees be raised from $75,000 to $150,000. Then again, it may not. “I‘m not sure what the rationale is behind the whole thing,” said Coun. Juiliette Cunningham, “I would have to question the jump from $75,000 to $150,000.” The draft resolution, which notes that “this threshold has not changed in recent years and the amount no longer holds the significance once envisioned in the legislation” would be brought forward at the meeting by delegates from the city for further discussion by the UBCM. However, first it must be considered by Vernon city councillors who will decide if they wish to present it to the UBCM meeting. Judging by the reaction of some councillors, this stage may be as far as the proposal gets.
The proposal was brought forward for consideration by Kevin Bertles, the city‘s finance manager. “The purpose of the reporting is to provide meaningful info to the public,” said Bertles. “You have to ask if that ($75,000) is the 
number that people want you to draw attention to? Or a more meaningful number?” Bertles said. “There is no big motive behind it. Is ($75,000) a meaningful number? I don‘t think it is.” Bertles noted that when the City of Vancouver makes public the names and salaries of employees making more than $75,000, the document is several pages long. However, he does acknowledge that no employee of the city of Vernon earns in excess of $150,000. Therefore, no local non-union city employee would have their wage made public. “($150,000) is an incredibly high salary no matter what community or corporation you work for,” said Coun. Pat Cochrane, “I say leave it as it is.” Coun. Patrick Nicol also questions the need for the threshold increase. “The public can know what the unionized employees make so they should have the right to know what management makes,” said Nicol, “I‘d be surprised if it passes. If we‘re trying to be open we should just keep it the way it is.”
number that people want you to draw attention to? Or a more meaningful number?” Bertles said. “There is no big motive behind it. Is ($75,000) a meaningful number? I don‘t think it is.” Bertles noted that when the City of Vancouver makes public the names and salaries of employees making more than $75,000, the document is several pages long. However, he does acknowledge that no employee of the city of Vernon earns in excess of $150,000. Therefore, no local non-union city employee would have their wage made public. “($150,000) is an incredibly high salary no matter what community or corporation you work for,” said Coun. Pat Cochrane, “I say leave it as it is.” Coun. Patrick Nicol also questions the need for the threshold increase. “The public can know what the unionized employees make so they should have the right to know what management makes,” said Nicol, “I‘d be surprised if it passes. If we‘re trying to be open we should just keep it the way it is.” 
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