City of Powell River and Powell River Regional District have released their statements of financial information for 2015 and, as always, staffing is a huge cost.
In 2015, City of Powell River reported a total gross payroll of $10.9 million. Of that, $3.8 million went to 37 employees who made more than $75,000 annually. Of the 37 highest paid city employees, 28 made over $90,000.
Besides a list of remuneration for staff earning over $75,000 and elected officials, the report also includes financial statements and financial reporting on business transactions conducted with private-sector vendors.
All regional districts, municipal governments and school districts are required by law to publish the report annually and make it publicly available.
The highest paid member of city staff in 2015 was Powell River Fire Rescue captain Tom Baker with a remuneration of $168,778.55, which includes vacation time payout at retirement. Second highest was chief administrative officer Mac Fraser at $160,968.70. Ranking third was chief financial officer Shehzad Somji at $145,405.46.
The total stipend for all seven members of city council, including mayor Dave Formosa, was $134,622.74. Formosa was paid $39,185.84. Councillors were paid $16,187.05, except Russell Brewer, Maggie Hathaway and Jim Palm who were paid $15,625.25 each to make up for overpayment in 2014.
Meanwhile, the regional district reported that its gross payroll for 2015 was $1.3 million with just less than $650,000 going to employees who made below $75,000 per year.
Of the seven members of senior staff at the regional district, five earned more than $90,000 and two over $100,000.
The highest paid member of the regional district’s staff was chief administrative officer Al Radke with a remuneration of $129,327.66. Second highest was manager of community services Mike Wall at $106,037.58. Ranking third was manager of administrative services Brenda Paquin at $96,215.19.
The total stipend for the seven member board was $133,941.29. Board chair and Electoral Area A director Patrick Brabazon was paid $28,180.93. Electoral Area B director Stan Gisborne was paid $17,517.67. Electoral Area C director Colin Palmer was paid $21,143.55. Electoral Area D director Sandy McCormick was paid $20,211.77. Electoral Area E director Merrick Anderson was paid $19,621.77.
Municipal director CaroleAnn Leishman was paid $11,236.84 and municipal director Russell Brewer was paid $10,608.43. Alternate regional district directors, including Alan Rebane, were paid $5,420.33.
City of Powell River remuneration over $90,000*
$168,778.55, Tom Baker, fire captain (*includes vacation and sick day payout at retirement)
$160,968.70, Mac Fraser, chief administrative officer
$145,405.46, Shehzad Somji, chief financial officer
$126,916.81, Dan Ouellette, director of fire and emergency services
$126,215.50, Marie Claxton, city clerk
$122,376.16, Terry Peters, deputy fire chief
$116,312.75, David Ellis, fire captain
$114,009.88, Tor Birtig, director of infrastructure services
$113,225.30, Ray Boogaards, director of parks, recreation and culture
$111,165.51, Michael Adam, fire captain
$108,444.95, Bill Grantham, fire captain
$105,003.07, Thomas Knight, director of planning services
$103,558.16, Carl Jones, fire captain
$101,417.97, Lynda Sowerby, manager of accounting services
$101,376.79, Kevin Culos, fire fighter
$100,726.09, Shawn Cator, manager of operational services
$99,443.62, Todd Fougere, recreation complex maintainence foreman
$99,000.06, Neil Pukesh, manager of recreation
$98,956.02, Barbra Mohan, director of human resources
$98,607.78, Brad Collicutt, fire fighter
$97,702.94, Frank D'Angio, manager of engineering services
$97,067.27, Christian Phyall, fire fighter
$96,963.51, Mark Peckford, fire captain
$94,956.88, Gregory Tait, manager of information technology
$94,694.66, Glen McQuarrie, recreation facilities utility/maintenance
$91,604.93, William Wedel, superintendent of public works
$90,416.62, Kevin Cote, fire fighter
$90,245.14, Scott Randolph, manager of economic development
*Some remunerations include vacation and sick day payout at retirement
Powell River Regional District remuneration over $90,000
$129,327.66, Al Radke, chief administrative officer
$106,037.58, Mike Wall, manager of community services
$96,215.19, Brenda Paquin, manager of administrative services
$96,000.59, Laura Roddan, manager of planning services
$94,461.77, Linda Greenan, manager of financial services
