Port Moody’s payroll has jumped almost 24 per cent in the last half decade.
According to the city’s statement of financial information (SOFI) report, it spent $26,993,011 on staffing last year. That compares to $21,837,330 in 2016.
The number of employees making more than $100,000 also ballooned, from 65 to 84.
But the 2016 figure was inflated by retroactive payments to several firefighters after they reached a new labour contract with the city.
In 2015, 32 city employees earned six figures. And in 2017, it was 60.
City manager Tim Savoie was Port Moody’s top earner in 2021. He made $231,884, plus an additional $1,220 in tax benefits and payouts. He also claimed expenses of $1,640.
Mayor Rob Vagramov was paid a base salary of $114,802, plus taxable benefits of $909, and $2,374 in expenses.
Councillors, who are considered part-time in Port Moody, earned $42,206.
Coun. Diana Dilworth’s expenses of $2,846 were the highest, while Coun. Amy Lubik claimed the lowest, $1,401.
The SOFI report will be presented to council on Tuesday (June 14). The provincial Financial Information Act requires local governments to release their spending reports by June 30. The reports include audits, debt schedules, compensation for employees that earned more than $75,000, as well as council, and payments for goods and services more than $25,000.
Some officials believe the $75,000 threshold to release the salaries and names of employees is too low.
In 2019, Coquitlam council voted to send a resolution to that fall’s Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) convention requesting the standard be raised and indexed to inflation.
New Westminster council also requested wages only be listed by job title, without the person’s name.
Both resolutions were endorsed, but any changes have yet to be implemented by the provincial government.
Port Moody city council's regular public hearing begins tomorrow at 7 p.m. and you can watch the meeting via a live-stream on the city's website.
