The city of Port Moody paid its employees $23,641,975 last year — 6.6% more than its 2017 payroll.
But the city did save some money in taxable benefits, payouts and expenses, according to its annual statement of financial information that was presented to council on Tuesday. Last year, those cost $841,000 compared to $948,788 in 2017.
Once again, Port Moody’s highest-paid employee was city manager Tim Savoie. He earned $214,247 plus another $20,467 in benefits, payouts and expenses, for a total compensation of $234,714 — $13,511, or 6% more than in 2017.
A total of 121 employees were paid more than $75,000 last year, five more than in 2017. Of those, 67 earned more than $100,000, seven more than the previous year.
Deposed mayor Mike Clay earned a base salary of $53,760 along with a tax-free allowance of $26,880 and another $7,723 in taxable benefits and expenses.
His successor, Mayor Rob Vagramov, earned $23,381 as a councillor and another $10,391 once he assumed his new position last November.
Between the time Vagramov was sworn in Nov. 7 until the end of the year, he also claimed $4,186 in expenses, a little less than the $5,025 he claimed the previous 10 months as a councillor. Of that, $3,873.52 was for new electronic equipment.
Vagramov is currently on a leave of absence as he deals with a charge of sexual assault stemming from an incident that is alleged to have occurred in 2015.
Coun. Diana Dilworth was paid the most for expenses, $11,583, of which $7,170.79 was spent to attend various conferences and $2,724.65 for new electronics.
Coun. Meghan Lahti, who’s now serving as acting mayor in Vagramov’s absence, claimed $6,011.94 for attending conferences, and $2,586.67 for new electronics.
