Salaries paid out by the city of Coquitlam to its employees jumped by 4.3% in 2017 from the previous year, according to the municipality's statement of financial information.
Total gross wages for city employees was nearly $82.2 million, a 4.3% increase from 2016 when it was $78.6 million. Another $1.97 million was paid in other remuneration and $468,000 in expenses. In addition, non-taxable benefits drove the city's total labour bill to more than $100 million with another $3.9 million going to the Canada Pension Plan and unemployment insurance.
The city's six-figure club grew by just two with 151 staffers earning at least $100,000. Six made at least $200,000, although finance and technology general manager Michelle Hunt fell just $37 short. There were 430 employees that made $75,000 or more on the list, which municipalities are required to produce every year.
City manager Pete Steblin is the highest-paid employee with a base salary of $298,333. He also received $9,590 in other remuneration and $6,000 in expenses.
The city paid out $717,331 in salary and expenses to council members. Mayor Richard Stewart received $138,239 in salary with another $18,189 in expenses. Councillors got a base of $60,165, a raise of more than $2,500 from 2016.
The city's policy is to have council's salary increases match the annual increase, percentage wise, of its contract with its municipal workers, members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees.
A motion by Coun. Terri Towner on Monday to call on the province and the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) to work on a provincially-appointed independent commission to establish fair wage principles for elected local government officials was delayed by council until next week. Other councillors were concerned about the province's involvement.
“I can’t see the province wanting to touch this with a 10-foot pole," said Coun. Chris Wilson.
But Mayor Richard Stewart pointed out the province should be involved because it can take away municipal powers.
"How do we structure a system that is fair to all concerned, but doesn't have us voting on our salaries?" said Stewart.
The councillors decided to try to come to a consensus via email this week so it can appear on next Monday's agenda because the deadline for resolutions to the UBCM's convention in September is June 30.
Total expenses paid to city council was $97,772. As in 2016, Coun. Dennis Marsden received the largest reimbursement ($14,032) followed by councillors Bonita Zarrillo ($13,352), Towner ($11,354), Terry O'Neill ($9,623), Craig Hodge ($8,818), Wilson ($7,875), Mae Reid ($7,646) and Brent Asmundson ($6,883).
Coquitlam city council remuneration for 2017:
Base salary Expenses
Mayor
Richard Stewart $138,239 $18,189
Council
Brent Asmundson $60,165 $6,883
Craig Hodge $60,165 $8,818
Dennis Marsden $60,165 $14,032
Terry O'Neill $60,165 $9,623
Mae Reid $60,165 $7,646
Teresa Towner $60,165 $11,354
Chris Wilson $60,165 $7,875
Bonita Zarrillo $60,165 $13,352
Total $619,559 $97,772
Top 10 city administrators
(base remuneration, other remuneration, expenses)
1. Peter Steblin, CAO ($298,333 $9,590 $5,996); 2. John DuMont, deputy city manager ($255,902 $11,444 $2,053); 3. Raul Allueva, parks GM ($217,019 $10,354 $1,297); 4. Jim McIntyre, planning GM ($215,613 $10,450 $6,879); 5. Perry Staniscia, special projects advisor ($215,496 $2,974 $1,787); 6. Jozsef Dioszeghy, engineering GM ($215,390 $2,978 $425); 7. Michelle Hunt, GM finance ($199,963 $5,847 $3,633); 8. Wade Pierlot, fire chief ($190,059 $5,976 $1,659); 9. Andreea Toma, GM strategic initiatives ($188,154 n/a $2,114); 10. Nikki Caufield, director HR ($172,503 $2,299 $3,725).
Coquitlam city employees making a base salary of $100,000 or more: 151
Coquitlam city employees making a base salary of $75,000 or more: 438