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SOFI Report

New report shows total staff remuneration at City of Kamloops increased by 10.6 per cent in 2024

Jun 21, 2025 | 5:18 PM

KAMLOOPS — New data from the City of Kamloops shows that its two city managers were paid over $500,000 in 2024, even though one of them has been away on leave for more than a year.

The other was paid nearly $60,000 more than the year before after he stepped into the role of Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), initially on an interim basis.

According to the City of Kamloops’ latest Statement of Financial Information (SOFI) for the year that ended on Dec. 31, 2024, CAO Byron McCorkell was paid $302,398 last year, up from $242,652 in 2023, the year he was promoted to Deputy CAO.

Those figures include $1,576 and $1,354 in taxable benefits and payouts in 2024 and 2023 respectively.

Elsewhere, David Trawin who has been away on leave since March 2024, earned $217,986 last year, down from $309,238 in 2023. Like McCorkell, Trawin’s total compensation included $2,023 and $1,317 in taxable benefits and payouts in 2024 and 2023 respectively.

McCorkell and Trawin also expensed $10,158 and $13,640 respectively in 2024, according to the SOFI report.

The pair were the two highest earners at the City of Kamloops, which paid its employees (but not elected officials) around $82.5 million in 2024. That figure is up 10.6 per cent or $8.7 million from the $73.8 million paid in 2023.

For comparison, the increase in total remuneration between 2022 and 2023 was 2.5 per cent or approximately $1.8 million.

“The change in staff and remuneration was a result of a year-over-year increase in Canadian Union of Public Employees staffing; a year-over-year increase in Kamloops Fire Rescue remuneration costs; and annual salary increases in accordance with employment and collective agreements,” a staff report attached to the 2024 SOFI report said.

Most of the 2024 figure – $49.2 million – went to CUPE staff and Program Instructors, up 11.5 per cent from $43.6 million in 2023. The biggest increase, however, went to staff deemed City Management, who made $15.6 million in 2024, a 13 per cent increase from the $13.5 million in 2023.

Elsewhere, Kamloops Fire Rescue staff and management earned a total of $16.3 million last year, a 5.8 per cent increase from the $15.4 million in 2023. That figure included retroactive pay negotiated during the last round of collective bargaining.

The City said the increase in total remuneration for 2024 over 2023 amounted to an increase of approximately $37.19 in property taxes for the average house in Kamloops.

Breakdown of staff and total costs at the City of Kamloops in 2024. (Image Credit: City of Kamloops)

When it came elected officials, Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson was still the highest earner as he took home $131,459 last year, $11,400 of which came as taxable benefits like parking and vehicle allowances.

Despite the pay cuts imposed by council in June and October last year, Hamer-Jackson still earned more than the $128,693 he made in 2023, with $11,400 of that amount once again accounted for as taxable benefits.

Each of the eight councillors were paid $52,333 in 2024, up from $46,916 in 2023. They also expensed more than Hamer-Jackson ($3,101) did, with amounts ranging between $5,259 (Margot Middleton) and $12,893 (Nancy Bepple), with Bill Sarai ($12,368) a close second.

In 2023, Hamer-Jackson expensed $11,207, while councillors expensed between $4,542 (Kelly Hall) and $9,941 (Bepple) with Sarai ($9,518) a close second once again.

Council remuneration according to 2024 SOFI Report. (Image Credit: City of Kamloops)

The SOFI report will be presented at Tuesday’s (June 24) council meeting for information. At that same meeting, Hamer-Jackson is expected to present a notice of motion calling for an independent forensic audit of city departments and management practices.

The mayor has said his motion is in response to “growing concerns from residents regarding rapidly increasing property taxes, cost overruns and a perceived lack of transparency in municipal operations.”