Kelowna spent $83M on its highest paid employees in 2024

Kelowna has released its list for the highest paid city employees of 2024.

Some of these folks are people you might have never heard of, but they are making six-figure salaries working for you, the taxpayer, according to the city’s statement of financial information released today, June 18.

There were 202 city employees, 146 firefighters and 406 members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees who made more than $75,000 in 2024 in Kelowna. The list is up to 754 from 525 in 2021.

The city spent a total of $114 million paying employees, up from $85.1 million in 2021. Of the total employee budget $83 million went to the highest earners while $31 million was spent on those making under $75,000 a year.

In 2023, the city spent $32 million on employees making less than $75,000 and $68 million on higher earners. 

At the top of the list is city manager Doug Gilchrist who made a total of $362,138 and had $21,624 of expenses in 2024. Gilchrist was making $338,516 in 2023 and $306,371 in 2021.

Kelowna airport CEO Sam Samaddar made $253,409 in 2024, with $42,392 in expenses. He was making $234,073 in 2023 and $202,002 back in 2021.

The city’s Divisional Director, Planning, Climate Sustainability and Development Services Ryan Smith made $234,621 in 2024, up from $206,879 in 2023.

The top paid firefighter in the city was platoon captain Micah Volk who made $204,186.

As far as city council goes, the 35 per cent pay raise they gave themselves didn’t hit their bank accounts until 2025.

In 2024, mayor Tom Dyas made $142,363, councillor Ron Cannan made the least with $44,735 and councillor Luke Stack made $49,002.

Councillor Mohini Singh had the lowest expenses at $169 and councillor Maxine DeHart had the most expenses at $8,520, aside from the mayor who had $15,609 in expenses.

The city spent a total of $520,974 paying the mayor and councillors and another $42,620 on their expenses.