The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen spent more than $600,000 on its democracy in 2024.
The Statement of Financial Information, for the year ended Dec. 31, showed the regional district paid $588,056 in remuneration and $47,145 in expenses to its 31 directors and alternate directors.
The remuneration varied depending on the number of meetings attended and the roles the directors had within the regional district.
Chair Mark Pendergraft received $80,358 and claimed $10,172 in expenses.
Rick Knodel, who was the director of Electoral Area C, received $38,918 in remuneration and had $8,007 in expenses.
Matthew Taylor, director of Electoral Area D, received $38,694 in remuneration and had expenses of $5,668.
Timothy Roberts, who represents Electoral Area G, received $36,492 in remuneration and claimed $3,161 in expenses.
The compensation figures can vary widely, depending on whether a member is a rural director or a director from a municipality. In addition, remuneration is based on the number of meetings a member attended. Alternate directors tend to receive much lower total compensation because they attend fewer meetings.
The cost of compensation rose when compared with previous years. In 2023, the regional district paid $621,917 in remuneration to directors and $56,796 in expenses, for a total of $678,713. In 2022, directors and alternate directors received $564,508 in remuneration and $41,316 in expenses.
