There is a cost to democracy, and at the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen, it came to $621,917 in remuneration to directors and another $56,796 in expenses in 2023.
That is a total of $678,713.
The figures were released in the regional district’s Statement of Financial Information.
There were a total of 33 directors and alternate directors on the regional district board who received compensation in 2023.
Mark Pendergraft, chair of the regional district, received remuneration of $79,932 and claimed expenses of $11,460 in 2023.
Vice-chair Spencer Coyne had remuneration of $26,716 and expenses of $2,476.
For other members of the regional district board, the compensation and expenses varied considerably.
Director Rick Knodel received remuneration of $40,490 and director Adrienne Fedrigo had remuneration of $40,267. Five directors elected to regional district electoral areas took in compensation between $37,000 and $40,000. during the year.
Those who were appointed to the board from municipal governments received lower compensation.
Marty Van Alphen, a Summerland councillor, had remuneration of $16,463 and Summerland mayor Doug Holmes received $17,464.
Penticton councillor Helena Konanz received $17,478, Penticton councillor James Miller received $19,017 and Penticton councillor Campbell Watt received $17,313.
Oliver mayor Martin Johansen received $20,172 and Osoyoos mayor Suzan McKortoff received $17,941. Keremeos mayor Jason Wiebe received $18,531.
Compensation is based on the meetings attended. As a result, alternate directors who attended few meetings had much lower remuneration than directors who participated frequently.
The compensation paid to directors in 2023 was higher than in 2022, when directors and alternate directors received $564,508 in remuneration and $41,316 in expenses.
