The City of Pitt Meadows increased spending on salaries and wages by $2.8 million, almost 25 per cent, from 2023 to 2024.
The city has reviewed its 2024 Statement of Financial Information, which lists city spending, including staff members. For those making more than $75,000 per year in salaries and benefits, the report lists their names, positions, salaries and taxable benefits.
The SOFI report shows spending on salaries and benefits rose to $14.2 million in 2024, up from $11.4 million in 2023. Last year saw $12 million in salaries, and $2.2 million in taxable benefits, while 2023's SOFI report showed $10.6 million in salaries and $800,000 in taxable benefits.
The report also includes employees with a base salary and benefits less than $75,000 in the total, without listing them by name.
Asked for a reason for the increase, the city communications department issued a statement to The News.
“The increase in salaries and benefits reflected in the 2024 SOFI report aligns with council’s Strategic Plan, which prioritizes public safety and responsive service delivery to the community. A significant portion of the increase is the result of council’s investment in fire services to meet BC WorkSafe regulations, to fully staff apparatus and provide an effective emergency response model," said the statement.
"In addition, the figures include the impacts of negotiated wage increases related to our CUPE collective agreement, including three years of retroactive payments – a one-time impact captured in the 2024 reporting period.
"The report also captures resources to support the implementation of B.C.’s Homes for People legislation, and to pursue external funding opportunities. Many of these roles are funded through grants or reserves and do not result in an ongoing property tax impact.”
Elected officials saw modest, inflationary increases. The salary for Mayor Nicole MacDonald rose from $111,000 to $115,000, while city councillors went from approximately $45,000 to $46,000.
The highest-paid employee is CAO Mark Roberts whose salary was listed at $252,000, and benefits $63,000 in 2024.
