The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen paid out $11,094,931 in employee wages in 2023, and another $134,086 in employee expenses.
The remuneration and expenses are listed in the 2023 Statement of Financial Information, released by the regional district.
The figures list the names and positions of the 59 regional district employees who received more than $75,000 in 2023.
Bill Newell, the former chief administrative officer, received $183,308 and claimed $2,117 in expenses. This was for his work in the first 10 months of the year.
On Oct. 30, 2023, the regional district announced it had parted ways with Newell, who had been the regional district since 2008. This followed a special in-camera meeting, which was held on Oct. 27.
Jim Zaffino, who had been senior manager of finance, took over as chief administrative officer for the regional district. He received a total of $167,235 and claimed $1,050 in expenses for the year.
Mark Woods, senior manager of community services, received $158,285 in compensation and $309 in expenses.
There were two severance agreements between the regional district and its non-unionized employees. These agreements represent from three to 12 months compensation.
The total remuneration for all regional district staff came to $5,740,450, with $99,099 in expenses. For those receiving less than $75,000 a year, the amount paid in remuneration came to $5,354,481, with $34,987 in expenses.
The remuneration figures included $144,186 in overtime wages, attributed to emergency operations.
