PETERS: City of Kamloops overall remuneration went up 20% in 2 years – are we okay with that?

But its hard to misinterpret these numbers – the overall increase in remuneration for city staff rose by about $9 million last year. That’s an increase of 11 per cent from the year before.

That means in just two years, the amount of compensation going to the city workforce grew by nearly $17 million – more than 20 per cent.

That is massive.

During the same two years, the number of City of Kamloops staff whose annual compensation crossed the $100,000 threshold grew from 207 to 329.

Imagine the City of Kamloops as a business. If that business increased its employee compensation by more than 20 per cent in just two years, it had better be doing that in response to some really astounding revenue growth – or growth projections.

The municipal corporation is not a business, though. It does not exist to turn a profit as a capitalist entity.

The City of Kamloops exists to provide a certain level of services and amenities to its residents in as efficient a manner as possible.

The city argues these compensation hikes were necessary because of increases negotiated in collective bargaining with CUPE and IAFF. That’s partly true, but doesn’t tell the whole story.

There were also sizeable increases in the past two years on the management and exempt side.

That explanation also plays into the narrative that there’s just nothing the city can do but shrug its collective shoulders and suck it up.

In reality, it’s you and I who are sucking it up.

We can accept some degree of remuneration growth in the city’s ranks. Typically, though, growth in line with the rate of inflation is more sensible than 20-plus per cent in two years.

When you’re paying your city tax bill – and it’s a lot bigger than past years – just remember what is playing into it.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.

by James Peters

PETERS: City of Kamloops overall remuneration went up 20% in 2 years – are we okay with that?

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