The Regional District of Nanaimo has set the wheels in motion for a review of board directors’ pay.
In 2014, the regional district board approved a motion to enlist the aid of an independent consultant to examine director compensation ahead of the 2018 municipal election, comparing it to similar-sized districts. Terms of reference for the review were approved at the July 25 board meeting.
Currently, municipal directors are compensated $13,688 a year, electoral area directors receive $24,994 a year, the chairperson receives $45,063 and alternate directors are paid $80 for every meeting attended.
The board also approved appointment of the executive committee to review the report and make a board recommendation. Regional district staff are expected to report to the committee in November.
“It’s a pretty standard approach that local governments do,” said Bill Veenhof, board chairman. “About a year ahead of the election we look at, are we being paid equitably? How do we compare to others? And out of that, a board motion will be generated. Usually it will be voted on just before the election happens, to be implemented after the election and so that way, at least in theory, it gives the voters an opportunity to say, ‘Boy, that was a stupid idea and you’re gone.’”
The regional district included $20,000 for the review in its 2017 budget.