The City of Prince Rupert paid close to $1.1 million more to employees and $11.64 million more to suppliers in 2022 compared to 2021.
Those were the two big takeaways from the city’s 2022 Statement of Financial Information presented to council at its June 26 regular meeting.
In total, salaries accounted for $17,556,885 of the city’s expenses for the year, up from 16,474,726 the previous year.
Of that, $10,074,588 was paid to employees who make more than $75,000 per year. In 2022, 85 city workers topped the $75,000 mark, up from 84 in 2021.
The top earner in the city ranks was Jeff Beckwith, the fire chief, who took home $245,000. The only other person earning more than $200,000 was city manager Robert Buchan at $235,115.
A total of 41 employees earned more than $100,000.
The 85 top earners also accounted for $53,449 in training and related travel expenses, down significantly from the $102,445 paid out in 2021. That reduction, however, was offset by business-related travel and other expenses that came in at $166,318 up from $117,994 the year before.
Council remuneration did not vary much in 2022 compared to 2021 at 218,170 versus $215,181. Expenses did go up significantly for mayor and councillors, though, at $18,597 compared to just $801.
Last year saw some big projects completed in the city, which accounts for the $56,086,008 paid to contractors compared to $44,438,594 in 2021.
Payments over $25,000 accounted for 97 per cent of supplier expenditures. By provincial law, municipalities must disclose all salaries over $75,000 and contractor payments over $25,000.
Of the latter, the greatest was $12,790,333 to Eiffage Innovative Canada — which was the main contractor on the new dam project for the city’s reservoir.
The second biggest was $8,770,745 to CT (Coast Tsimshian) Northern Contractors. CT does a variety of work for the city. One of its big projects last year was the renovation of the old CN building on the waterfront that now houses Wheelhouse Brewing company.
Third on the list was the RCMP to which the city paid $4,545,670.
The Statement of Financial Information is the final piece of documentation the city must produce to fulfill requirements under the B.C. Financial Information Act. Most of those requirements are met by the Annual Audited Financial Statements which were presented to and approved by council in April.
The SOFI includes those statements as well as the additional schedules of employee and council remuneration, schedule of supplier payments and a schedule of grants and contributions.
By far the greatest benefactor of city grants in 2022 was the public library, which received $737,000.
Other significant contributions went to Tourism Prince Rupert ($332,449), the Prince Rupert Golf Course ($160,000), the Museum of Northern BC ($155,253) and the Lester Centre for the Arts ($148,780).
thom.barker@blackpress.ca
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