While the public cries about higher taxes, Maple Ridge politicians are still in the deep freeze with regard to their publicly paid salaries, with their pay still at 2011 levels.
Each of Maple Ridge’s councillors are making just under $43,000, says the 2012 statement of financial information.
As for the leader of the group, Mayor Ernie Daykin’s salary actually dropped by $180 last year compared to 2011. Daykin’s Maple Ridge salary rings in at $99,435, less than the $99,615 he made the previous year.
The information is in the annual Statement of Financial Information presented at the June 17 committee of the whole meeting and shows councillor’s expenses for 2012 ranging from a low of $1,019 for Coun. Judy Dueck to a high of $6,838 for Mayor Ernie Daykin.
The numbers show that the total amount in wages for Maple Ridge senior staff earning more than $75,000 climbed by 6.4 per cent, to a total of $12,939,886.
Combined with the salaries of employees making less than $75,000 a year, the district’s total wage tab came to $31.4 million, about $1.4 million more than the year before.
That works out to a 4.7-per-cent increase, which is a drop from last year’s hike of about 5.5 per cent.
Salaries can vary yearly according to the number of pay periods, where an employee is on the pay grid and if staff are paid out for unused vacation.
The district’s wage bill has also increased in recent years as it moves from a paid-volunteer force to a hybrid of full-time firefighters and part-timers.
Firefighters are making between $78,103 up to $95,948.
Coun. Cheryl Ashlie said politicians are hearing from the people that they can’t afford constantly rising taxes.
“We have to have a definite shift in how we operate.”
She’s looking forward to the recommendations from the new municipal auditor general, who’s first looking at how cities issue contracts, as well as their human resources practices.
“From the municipal level, there is that will to get better.”
The district also compared its taxes with others in the Lower Mainland, noting it has the fourth lowest when average single family homes are compared.
In Maple Ridge, municipal taxes payable on that house are $1,966.
Langley township has the lowest municipal taxes for 2013 at $1,682.
Surrey is next cheapest at $1,719, with Pitt Meadows charging $1,760 and Mission, $1,839.
Residents in Port Coquitlam, North Van, Delta, Vancouver and New Westminster all pay more taxes for the same house.
With recycling, water and sewer charges included, Maple Ridge residents paid about another 4.3 per cent in taxes for 2013, or another $116.
Top earners
The top 10 District of Maple Ridge staff earners for 2012:
• Jim Rule, CAO, $246,561;
• Frank Quinn, general manager public works, $204,131;
• Paul Gill, general manager, corporate and financial services, $193,108;
• Kelly Swift, general manager, community development, parks and recreation, $170,446;
• Dane Spence, fire chief, $152,232;
• Peter Grootendorst, fire chief, $151,717;
• Liz Holitzki, bylaws director, $150,278;
• Russ Carmichael, director engineering operations, $142,742;
• David Boag, director of parks and facilities, $138,637;
• John Bastaja, director of corporate support, $137,282.