It’s costing more to operate Vernon city hall. Payroll for municipal staff went from $18.8 million in 2010 to $20.9 million last year.“Total salaries compared to taxation keeps going up and it’s unsustainable,” said Coun. Bob Spiers.“It’s up 77 per cent on a net basis from 2006.” The gross number of employees in 2011 was 320, while it was 315 in 2010. Eighty-two employees earned more than $75,000 a year in 2011, up from 66 in 2010.“We have to not only provide services, we have to be
seen as providing the service in the best manner possible,” said Mayor
Rob Sawatzky.“It’s part of why we are having a core service review.”The review will look at all city functions and determine if there is value for money.Of the 82 employees earning more than $75,000 a year,
26 were in the fire department, 25 were from operations, 12 were in
administration, seven were from the planning department, fivewere in
finance, four were from engineering, one was from recreation and one was
at the airport.The topearner (both salary and expenses) was former chief administrative officer Leon Gous at $176,684.Others were acting CAO Marg Bailey at $124,049, finance
manager Kevin Bertles at$119,188, engineering manager Rob Dickinson at
$118,539 and planning manager Kim Flick at$117,626.Spiers supports the core service review proceeding later this year.“We need more revenue, more effective service delivery or we keep increasing taxes,” he said.
Spiers wouldn’t speculate on whether staff reductions should be part of the review.Coun. Juliette Cunningham admits increased salaries over $75,000 may fuel public perception but there is no ability
to correct wages like in the private sector.“We have long-serving staff and it stands to reason that will happen. We have great staff,” she said.The 2011 annual report lists one staff severance
for five month’s salary. No details about the position are being
provided because of confidentiality rules.Remuneration and expenses have also been released for mayor and council in 2011.In order, they were Wayne Lippert - $67,235,
Buffy Baumbrough - $25,472, Jack Gilroy - $25,350, Patrick Nicol -
$20,831, Shawn Lee - $20,184, Mary-Jo O’Keefe - $20,733 and Bob Spiers -
$20,474.For those politicians elected in November,
remuneration is $4,945 for Rob Sawatzky and $1,575 each for Juliette
Cunningham, Catherine Lord and Brian Quiring.Residents will be able to provide input on the city’s 2011 annual report June 11 at 5:30 p.m. at city hall.
2011 - 7.1 MB 2011 Annual Report
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Don Quixote Note: “It’s up 77 per cent on a net basis from 2006.”
is an incorrect quote. My exact words were that it has increased
TO 77.8% in 2011. (From 63.6% in 2006). (Illustrated in 2 tables taken from the Annual Reports over the last 5-6 years below ). The purpose of analysis over aperiod of time is to show the trend and to determine the sustainability of our existing system.
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| Net Salaries as % of Taxation Analysis |
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| Gross Salaries as % of Taxation. |
(In 2011 Allowances (taxable car allowances etc) were included in the Gross Earnings Column for the first time. Previously they were included in a separate column. The table has been adjusted in prior years to include them as presented in 2011 so the comparison would remain valid. Remember it is the trend that is important.
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