Pay raise divides regional directors

Westside politicians on board argue against salary hike aimed at compensating them for loss of tax break

Civic politicians in the Central Okanagan who also serve on the regional board should get a pay cut, not a pay raise, Westside representatives say.

Many board meetings are short and some are even cancelled beforehand for lack of any agenda items, Mayor Doug Findlater notes.

“While being here is more aggravating than ever, the time we spend here is somewhat less,” Findlater said at last Thursday’s board meeting. “Perhaps a reduction (in salary) is in order, through a review.”

But Findlater’s suggestion drew a bristly response from board chair Gail Given, a Kelowna city councillor.

“While you may not spend more time here, I can assure you that I am spending far more than I ever thought I would,” Given told Findlater. “Anybody who thinks the only work we do is at meetings is a little bit misinformed.”

The exchange came as the 13 members of the regional board voted to increase directors’ pay effective Jan. 1 to offset a federal tax change. Currently, one-third of an elected representative’s salary is tax free, but that perk will be eliminated next year.

Most B.C. town and city councils have voted to increase council members’ wages to offset the loss of the tax-free portion of their wages. If salaries were kept level, the net effect would be a reduction in take-home pay for council members.

“I’m not looking for a raise, but then again I’m not looking for a pay cut,” said Wayne Carson, who represents the Central Okanagan West electoral area on the regional board.

West Kelowna Coun. Rick de Jong argued the salary adjustment does translate into a raise: “I do see this as a pay increase.”

De Jong and Findlater, along with Peachland Mayor Cindy Fortin, voted against raising the salaries. All the politicians representing Kelowna, Lake Country and electoral areas voted in favour.

Kelowna city councillors who sit on the regional board will get a salary bump to $18,450 from $16,228, and Given’s salary as board chairman will rise to $47,641 from about $40,000.

“I don’t believe any of our elected officials are grossly overpaid,” Given said. “There are no pensions. There’s all kinds of benefits that people assume we have that we do not have.”

After voting on the raise, directors passed a motion asking that an independent third party look at salary levels next year.

Over the past year, three meetings of the regional board lasted seven minutes, and two meetings were cancelled for lack of any agenda items. The board meets twice a month.