Last year 289 people working for the City of Vancouver were paid more than $100,000, according to financial statements the city has to release each year. The report, which covers employees making more than $75,000, doesn't include the Vancouver Police Department, led by Chief Jim Chu. Chu's 2009 salary was $303,602.44, according to media reports. The municipal total includes eight managers who were paid more than $200,000. City manager Penny Ballem is the only one of those making above $300,000, with a 2009 salary of $313,577, plus $1,404 in expenses. Ballem is paid almost twice as much as Mayor Gregor Robertson, whose total remuneration of $161,469 includes a salary of $135,429 plus travel and conferences costs of $18,616 and a transportation allowance of $7,424.
Suzanne Anton, Vancouver's sole Non-Partisan Association councillor, was a little surprised to hear the total number of city employees making six-figure salaries. She intends to ask the city's human resources department why there are so many high salaries. "The city has made cuts in this budget," said Anton. "Those cuts hurt people. You have to be sure the money you are spending is being spent wisely." Coun. Raymond Louie of majority Vision Vancouver defended city salaries, which rose by four per cent, but also included retirements and payouts. "The [number of ] people above $125,000 has remained constant at about 77," said Louie. "That hasn't changed, despite the four-per-cent salary increase. "I know we're working hard to streamline the organization," he said. Louie pointed out that a number of top-paying positions have been or are being eliminated. Dave Rudberg made $223,078 as manager of 2010 Olympic resources, but his position no longer exists. There used to be two deputy city managers and now there is only one, while the responsibilities of the manager of human resources services are being assumed by the chief financial officer.
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2009 Statement of Financial Information
- Mayor & Council Remuneration & Expenses P.46
- Employees remuneration & expenses < $75,000 P.48-62
- Severance Agreements Totals P.64
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