Remuneration and expenses for Powell River Regional District staff increased significantly in 2012 compared to 2011.
The regional board recently approved the 2012 statement of financial information.
The total remuneration for employees who received over $75,000 was $521,842, an increase of 109 per cent over the 2011 total of $249,109. The number of employees who received over $75,000 doubled, from three in 2011 to six in 2012.
The total remuneration for all employees in 2012 was $1,032,323, a 22 per cent increase over 2011 when total remuneration for all employees was $846,073.
Expenses for employees also increased. The total for expenses in 2012 was $86,154, a 111 per cent increase over 2011 when expenses totalled $40,797.
The regional district implemented a staffing plan to ease the transition after the retirement of Frances Ladret, former administrator, in 2011. The plan included creating new positions, hiring new staff and shifting existing staff into new positions.
The regional district has also recently awarded a $5,000 contract to James R. Craven and Associates Ltd. for an exempt staff salary review.
Remuneration for elected officials increased by 2.7 per cent, rising from $106,238 in 2011 to $109,145 in 2012. Expenses for directors decreased 2.6 per cent, from $33,786 in 2011 to $32,903 in 2012.
Lasqueti Island Director Merrick Anderson claimed the most in expenses, $11,232, followed by Texada Island Director Dave Murphy with $8,747 and board chair and Electoral Area C Director Colin Palmer, with $7,890.
