Regional District of Nanaimo directors voted to increase board members’ pay and benefits after the election.
At a meeting Sept. 6, the board voted on a bylaw to pay directors via a base rate not including meeting fees. The projected base pay in 2023 will be $23,100 for municipal directors and $46,200 for electoral area directors. The numbers are up from $19,700and $39,400, respectively, from 2022. The chairperson will be paid a projected amount of $84,000 if they are a municipal director and $107,100 if they are an electoral area director.
The directors’ rate for attending meetings is $150, which includes select committees, scheduled standing committees, advisory standing committees, public hearings, public information meeting and other business meetings. If the meetings exceed four hours in length, an additional stipend of $60 will be paid. The committee chairperson will receive $210 per meeting.
The board referred back to staff a new policy for reimbursing directors for the personal equipment and services they use in the performance of their duties in the regional district such as laptop, iPad, internet services, cellphones, printer cartridges and other supplies. The proposed policy also includes amending the rates for meals and accommodations.
Directors wanted staff to clearly identify where the funding for these expenditures would be allocated from and what the estimated costs would be.
The new bylaw related to remuneration, expenses and benefits will come into place Nov. 8. Nanaimo director Sheryl Armstrong was the only one who opposed it.
READ MORE: Funds to be allocated for remuneration review if voters favour upping Qualicum Beach council size