Regional District Board Members Seek More Cash

Thursday, June 16, 2005 04:07 AM

When the Board of the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George meets today, DIrectors will consider a proposal from General Manager of Corporate services, Tom Yates. The proposal recommends the 14 Board Directors receive (if they wish) a $75 per month allowance called a "technology expense allowance". All the Directors will need to do is to apply for the monthly fee; it will become a taxable benefit that amounts to $900 dollars a year.

According to the resolution being put before the Board today, the money will be paid out at the discretion of each Director. The application each Board Director will receive reads as follows :
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"In accordance with applicable policies of the Regional District, I wish to be enrolled in the corporate technology expense reimbursement program. In submitting this application I understand and accept the following conditions:
1 Any allowance received is deemed to cover all business expenses incurred by me for telecommunications and computer devices, related services and supplies of any kind whatsoever.

2 I may terminate my participation in this program at any time by submitting written notices to the General Manager of Financial services. "
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The remuneration for a Director on the Regional Board is $9,535.18 per year. If the Director applied for the new "allowance" it would amount to $900 per year, or just shy of a ten percent pay hike.

Board Directors also receive additional funds for every committee meeting attended

The Chairman of the Regional District, Colin Kinsley, received a salary of $21,323.47 last year.
In addition, he received a further, $950 for his attendance at committee meetings and $1,612.98 in expenses. For a total of $23,886.45

If each Director applied for the new allowance, the total cost for the "Technology expense allowance" would be $12,600 per year.

(see also "Regional Expense Money or Pay Hike?")