Report reveals remuneration

By Jennifer Smith - Vernon Morning Star Published: March 31, 2013 1:00 AM

Coldstream SOFI 2012

Maria Besso continues to be Coldstream’s highest paid councillor, but this year she was bumped to third on the expense list.  With the recent adoption of Coldstream’s financial plan (which includes a 4.12 per cent tax hike for 2013), the schedule remuneration and expenses has been released. On council, Mayor Jim Garlick earned $30,369 in 2012 and had $1,635 in expenses. Besso was the highest paid councillor, earning $16,320. While she has traditionally racked up the highest expenses among her counterparts, this year was an exception. Besso’s expenses were $1,480, while Gyula Kiss’ expenses were $1,863 and the top expenses were claimed by Doug Dirk - $2,255. “It is a combination of meetings attended and the UBCM (Union of B.C. Municipalities) convention in Victoria,” said Dirk. Last year was also one of the first that Besso did not attend the Southern Interior Local Government Association convention. Besso’s remuneration reflects her high attendance at meetings, whether it’s the North Okanagan Regional District, Greater Vernon Advisory Committee (which she is an alternate on) or Okanagan Regional Library (which she is a director on). “I think my remuneration is probably still small compared to other communities,” said Besso, who also defends the need to attend meetings and stay informed. Following Besso’s remuneration, Dirk and Kiss both earned $14,119, Coun. Peter McClean earned $13,595 with $291 in expenses and Councillors Pat Cochrane and Richard Enns had no expenses and both earned $12,371. The top earning staff members was Michael Stamhuis, chief administrative officer, collecting $137,158 plus $5,388 in expenses. Director of financial administration Trevor Seibel earned $111,391 and had $4,386 in expenses. Building official Bob Bibby had the highest staff expenses of $5,718 while he earned $90,921. Utilities foreman Dave Acton earned $93,972. Mike Pethick, operations superintendant, made $91,429 ($1,552 in expenses).  Corporate officer Keri-Ann Austin collected $81,412 ($5,069 in expenses), executive research coordinator Irma Breitkreutz earned $80,176 ($5,679 in expenses), roads foreman Gord McKay made $84,854 and there were three utilities operators who each earned more than $75,000.