Regional District of Nanaimo doled out more than $29 million in wages to staff last year, according to its 2019 statement of financial information.
In all, the RDN compensated its directors and their alternates with $637,600 in salary, with board members submitting $76,300 in expenses. Ian Thorpe, Nanaimo city councillor and RDN board chairman, received the highest remuneration and benefits with $73,300 in 2019. Bob Rogers, Nanoose Bay director and vice-chairman for most of 2019, received the second highest salary and benefits at $48,000, followed by Vanessa Craig (Gabriola Island director and current vice-chairperson) at $45,000, while Maureen Young (Pleasant Valley area) received $44,500.
Nanaimo directors received remuneration ranging from $23,900 to $18,600.
Expenses include mileage and travel and Rogers had $13,700 in 2019, while Craig had $12,200 and Young had $11,400. Leanne Salter (Coombs area) had $6,600 in expenses, while Keith Wilson (Cedar area) had $6,300. Sheryl Armstrong, City of Nanaimo director, had no expenses listed for 2019.
In terms of RDN staff, Phyllis Carlyle, CAO, received total remuneration in the amount of $293,500 in 2019. Tom Osborne (GM of recreation and parks services) and Delcy Wells (GM of corporate services) both received $184,000, Geoff Garbutt (GM of strategic and community development) $183,900 and Randy Alexander (GM of regional and community utilities) $182,100.
The RDN paid $82.5 million to suppliers for services during the year, with $22.5 million to NAC Constructors Ltd. NAC did work related to secondary treatment upgrades at the Greater Nanaimo Pollution Control Centre in 2019. In addition, $1.5 million was paid to B.C. Hydro, $1.7 million to the City of Nanaimo and $9.2 million to B.C. Transit, RDN Transit’s funding partner.
The RDN distributed $1.1 million in community grants in 2019, including $75,500 to the Port Theatre Society and $50,000 to Vancouver Island North Film Commission.
The 2019 statement of financial information is set to go before the RDN committee of the whole at its July 14 meeting.
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reporter@nanaimobulletin.com
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