Quesnel city council will be looking to reduce the amount of staff who have their salaries reported to the public.
During discussion of the statement of financial information report written by director of corporate and financial services Kari Bolton, mayor Bob Simpson said he thought the limit for salary reporting hadn’t kept up with the times.
“When this was established it was to reveal how much senior bureaucrats in the public service were being paid,” mayor Bob Simpson said during a May 3 city council meeting.
“But you’ll see it’s not kept pace with inflation. We’re now reporting out on equipment operators, we’re reporting out on mechanics. That was never the intent.”
All people earning more than $75,000 have their salaries reported each year.
In 2021, 42 people were earning a salary above that from the city of Quesnel. The salaries of those 42 account for $4 million of the city’s $11 million paid to employees.
Of those 42 reported salaries, 21 people earn under $90,000, and 11 people receive salaries over $100,000.
Councillor Ron Paull supported the idea, suggesting Quesnel bring a resolution to the Union of B.C. Municipalities.
“I think we can start by just saying to the provincial government, ‘hey can you consider this,’” Simpson said.
“I think once (the provincial government) thinks about it, they might just do it.”
The highest-paid city employee is city manager Byron Johnson. Quesnel’s directors also receive over $100,000, with the chief building inspector and public works supervisor also breaking the six-figure mark.
Compensation for city councillors and the mayor are also reported.
FROM OUR ARCHIVES — 2018: Mayor, councillor salaries to increase in 2019
The mayor of Quesnel receives just over $60,000, while councillors receive around $20,000 per year.
The city also reports any organization they paid over $25,000. Councillor Martin Runge suggested that limit be raised with inflation as well.
“We have to come with the times,” he said.
A copy of both lists can be found in the meeting agenda for May 3.
Quesnel city council passed a unanimous resolution to send a letter requesting the limits for public reporting of salaries be changed.
READ MORE: B.C. government worker union says contract talks with province at impasse over wages
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