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City of Williams Lake expenses released

As required under legislation the city released its statement of financial information for 2011.

As required under legislation the city released its statement of financial information for 2011 and, according to Mayor Kerry Cook, the report includes more information than the city is legally required to include.

“The report allows the public to see the actual expenses and salaries in an effort to be more transparent to the public,” she said.

Under remuneration and expenses paid to council, Cook received $43,687 remuneration and had $6,782.12 in expenses.

Former councillor Tom Barr had $13,970 and $2,128.40 in remuneration and expenses, respectively, and former councillor Natalie Lynn Montoya received $6,350, but had no expenses.

Councillors Geoff Bourdon received $15,240 and had $3,916.79 in expenses; Ivan Bonnell received $1,270 and had $75 in expenses; Danica Hughes received $1,270 in remuneration and had $75 in expenses; Surinderpal Rathor received $15,240 in remuneration and had $9,596.58 in expenses.

Cook pointed out Rathor’s expenses were higher than hers because he had attended the Federation of Canadian Municipalities conference in Halifax on her behalf.

Councillors Laurie Walters and Sue Zacharias also received $15,240, with Walters being reimbursed $4,995.07 for expenses and Zacharias $4,025.61.

The total for elected officials in 2011 was $127,507.92 in remuneration and $31,594.56 in expenses.

In addition, legislation requires the city to release the salary rates of all employees earning over $75,000, although Mayor Cook explained the remuneration figures also include all taxable benefits such as life insurance and extended health.

At the top of the spectrum, chief administrative officer Brian Carruthers was paid $149,482.69 and reimbursed $21,288.70 for expenses, and at the lower end, manager of active living Deborah Radolla received $79,623.62, and $1,864.91 for expenses.

The total costs, including salaries, benefits and expenses for employees, including those earning less that $75,000, was $6,796,523.64 in remuneration and $104,218.08 in expenses.

Cook said the report also includes the costs for volunteer firefighters, which was around $140,000 for the year.



Monica Lamb-Yorski

About the Author: Monica Lamb-Yorski

A B.C. gal, I was born in Alert Bay, raised in Nelson, graduated from the University of Winnipeg, and wrote my first-ever article for the Prince Rupert Daily News.
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