The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary paid out over $1.3 million more in salary and expenses in 2024 compared to the year before, an increase of 11.2 per cent. At the same time, elected officials earned two per cent less.
According to the RDKB’s annual statement of financial information, approved at last week’s board meeting, total payroll costs last year were $13.3 million, compared to $11.9 million a year earlier.
Sixty-eight staff made at least $75,000 as a base salary, which was exactly the same as the year before. Thirty-two people made at least $100,000, which was down from 33 the previous year. The number making at least $200,000 grew from one to four, plus two more made $200,000 when salary and expenses were combined.
Many top earners were members of Kootenay Boundary Regional Fire Rescue. Those at the very top of the list, ranked by base salary, were as follows:
| Name | Title | Salary | Expenses | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Smyth | Firefighter (captain) | $234,420 | $332 | $234,752 |
| Mark Andison | Chief administrator | $224,254 | $13,851 | $238,108 |
| Clayton Alderson | Firefighter (15th year) | $214,100 | $1,803 | $215,904 |
| Jason Milne | Firefighter (captain) | $200,359 | $4,258 | $204,616 |
| Kyle Boutin | Firefighter (10th year) | $199,985 | $2,668 | $202,653 |
| James Chandler | Deputy chief administrator | $198,327 | $10,397 | $208,724 |
Smyth, Andison, Alderson, and Chandler were also among the highest paid in 2023.
Among the elected officials, the combined stipends of about $470,419 and expenses of $105,838 came to a total of $576,257. That was actually down from the previous year, when the board was collectively paid $478,118 and claimed $109,658 in expenses for a total of $587,776 — a decrease of $11,519, or about two per cent.
Rural directors are paid more than municipal directors, recognizing that the latter also receive stipends for serving on their respective councils. The chair and vice-chair receive additional remuneration. Alternate directors are only paid for attending meetings in the absence of the regular director.
Director-by-director totals are as follows. Andy Morel took over as board chair in November 2024 from Linda Worley, and Terry Martin took over as vice-chair at the same time from Ali Grieve. Bill Wenman was appointed director for Fruitvale after Steve Morissette resigned, following his election as MLA for Kootenay-Monashee in October.
| Name | Area | Salary | Expenses | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everett Baker | Grand Forks | $19,946 | $830 | $20,776 |
| Richard Dunsdon | Midway | $22,637 | $2,412 | $25,049 |
| Sharen Gibbs | Area E | $49,559 | $28,120 | $77,679 |
| Ali Grieve | Area A | $56,126 | $12,006 | $68,133 |
| Christine Linton | Area D (alt) | $106 | – | $106 |
| Frank Marino | Warfield | $22,358 | $417 | $22,775 |
| Terry Martin | Trail | $25,521 | $467 | $25,987 |
| Ray Masleck | Warfield (alt) | $954 | – | $954 |
| Grace McGregor | Area C | $53,841 | $17,910 | $71,751 |
| Andy Morel | Rossland | $26,620 | $538 | $27,158 |
| Steve Morissette | Fruitvale | $19,058 | $4,473 | $23,531 |
| Gerry Shaw | Greenwood | $17,004 | – | $17,004 |
| Mike Walsh | Montrose | $22,473 | $361 | 22,834 |
| Bill Wenman | Fruitvale | $4,530 | – | $4,530 |
| Linda Kay Wiese | Area D | $47,508 | $20,369 | $67,877 |
| Linda Worley | Area B | $82,178 | $17,934 | $100,112 |
| TOTAL | $470,419 | $105,838 | $576,257 |
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