In a move aimed at increasing transparency at City hall, council last week released information on its management compensation levels.
In its 2011 preliminary budget council is scheduled to approve a two-per-cent wage increase for managers.
However, due to a revised benchmark salary schedule that sets new compensation markers some mangers may receive an increase greater than the prescribed two per cent. In 2010, the City undertook a review of compensation paid to managers who perform similar roles to other managers working in 15 communities of similar size for the purpose of being competitive, neither overpaying nor underpaying managers.
The City’s policy to pay 105 per cent of the average salary for comparable management positions is described as a “strategic decision” to be competitive.
“Some people were significantly under salary,” says Brian Carruthers, city chief administrative officer. “We’re bringing employees up to the established benchmark.”
Under the new benchmarks and including this year’s two-per-cent increase, the general manager of planning and operations will receive $115,300; the director of financial services, $112,200; the directors of community services, municipal services and protective services, $99,960; the mangers of waste and water, transportation and buildings, legislative services, human resources and finance, $90,780; and the managers of economic development, active living, social development and information technology will receive $81,600.
Council noted that it is not required to disclose management compensation in this manner; the Community Charter requires cities to only disclose salaries of $75,000 or more each year in a financial information report.
The cost of the two-per-cent wage increase in 2011 is $50,728.50; the annualized cost is $67,632.
According to the City, management salary benchmarks will be reviewed every five years.
The City points out that in 2010 it restructured a number of positions that resulted in a savings of $345,310 in that year.
“Salaries and wages are a large part of the City’s budget and we want to ensure we deliver a high level of service in the most cost effective way possible,” says Mayor Kerry Cook in a press release.