The Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako paid members of its board of directors a total of $330,456.89 in 2014, according to the local government’s most recent Statement of Financial Remuneration.
The thirty-one individuals who served as either directors or alternate directors on the regional district board received remuneration totaling $264,154.54 and another $66,302.35 in reimbursed expenses last year. The regional district paid an additional $24,281.22 to third parties for director-related expenses.
The highest paid board member last year was Bill Miller. Miller, director for Electoral Area B (Burns Lake Rural) and the regional district’s chairman, received $32,942 in remuneration for the year ended Dec. 31, 2014, and an additional $10,729.81 for expenses incurred while conducting regional district business. The local government paid an additional $5549.42 directly to third parties for expenses incurred by Miller.
Stephen Freeman, who served for most of the year as the director for Electoral Area E (Francois/Ootsa Lake Rural) was paid $19,179.50 in remuneration and received an additional $3640.70 in expense money. The regional district paid $1446.09 directly to third parties for expenses Freeman incurred while on regional district business.
Eileen Benedict, elected last November as Freeman’s replacement, received $795 in remuneration and $58.30 in reimbursed expenses.
Burns Lake mayor Luke Strimbold, who received $15,000 last year from the village as Burns Lake’s mayor, earned an additional $11,418 from the regional district for representing the municipality on the regional board.
Village councillors Chris Beach and John Illes, who served as Burns Lake’s alternative representatives, received $244 and $366, respectively, for attending regional district meetings on Strimbold’s behalf. Neither had any expense claims.
B.C.’s Financial Information Act requires that all public sector corporations in B.C. – including its municipalities and regional districts – file annual Statements of Financial Information.