30 South Okanagan regional district employees make this year’s over $75,000 list

PENTICTON – The number of Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen employees making $75,000 or more annually has grown to 30.

The latest Statement of Financial Information data was released by the regional district this week.

A total of 30 employees made the list, up from 27 last year. In 2016 and 2015, 23 employees made the list.

Chief administrative officer Bill Newell topped the list this year with earnings of $170,560.61.

Seven others broke the six-figure mark, making more than $100,000, including community services manager Mark Woods ($129,394.48), development services manager Brad Dollevoet ($115,677.36), information services manager Tim Bouwmeester ($105,495.90), payroll and benefits coordinator Laura Philipps ($103,355.46), manager of legislative services Christy Malden ($102,611.37), wastewater utilities foreman Rina Seppen ($101,191.14) and finance supervisor Noelle Evans-Macewan ($100,849.41).

Board chair Karla Kozakevich made the most amongst regional directors at $63,964.40.

The other top two earning directors serving a full year on the board included Osoyoos rural director Mark Pendergraft ($30,611.94) and Cawston director George Bush ($30,094.69).

Total board remuneration amounted to $443,540 along with $53,781 paid in expenses.

The regional board recently decided to form a committee to review board remuneration in the wake of recent tax changes eliminating what was previously a tax-free portion of the director’s stipend.

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