Regional Districts & Statement of Financial Information Reports

In the last few days - I have posted the SOFI or Statement of Financial Information 2010 reports for the Cariboo Regional District and the Cities of Williams Lake & Quesnel

With regard to the Cariboo Regional District's 2010 SOFI Report, I was left the following comment:

Why aren't the CRD management salaries part of this report?

This is a very good question.  So - after consulting with June Hicklin (Advisory Officer - Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, Advisory Services Branch - Local Government), she states that only Section 168(1) of the Community Charter applies - both to regional districts and municipal councils', which is:

(1) At least once a year, a council must have prepared a report separately listing the following for each council member by name:

(a) the total amount of remuneration paid to the council member for discharge of the duties of office, including any amount specified as an expense allowance;

(b) the total amount of expense payments for the council member made to the council member as reimbursement for expenses incurred by the council member or as an allowance that is not reported under paragraph (a);

(c) the total amount of any benefits, including insurance policies and policies for medical or dental services, provided to the council member or the member's dependants;

(d) any contracts reported under section 107 [disclosure of contracts with council members and former council members], including a general description of their nature.

So, with the above in mind, it is clear that the Cariboo Regional District is in compliance, both in spirit and intent of the Community Charter with regard to Section 168(1) of the Charter.  I'm presently in discussions with her (Ms. Hicklin), with regard to the Cities of Quesnel and Williams Lake making reference to the Financial Information Act, which calls for corporations to report on stipends/expenses for members of said corporation and their staff, if they make more than $75,000 in a financial year and I'll advise further when I have that information

SBF