A majority of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) Board approved changes to the remuneration bylaw, which will see increases in compensation for Electoral Area and Municipal Directors. The bylaw will come into effect January 1, 2027, after the October 17, 2026 General Local Election.
The changes are intended to bring compensation for CSRD elected officials more in line with the rates of comparable local governments. Pay rates for elected officials have not been reviewed since the previous bylaw came into effect on January 1, 2019.
Under the new bylaw, the annual stipend for Electoral Area Directors will increase from $28,905 to $36,100 in 2027, while Municipal Directors will see their stipend rise from $18,852 to $21,100. The Board Chair’s additional stipend will increase from $27,651 to $31,700 in 2027, while the Vice-Chair’s will rise to $6,340.
The changes place the CSRD compensation rates into the 60th percentile among comparable local governments.
Additional changes approved by the Board include: • Access to the Union of BC Municipalities Group Benefits Plan for Electoral Area Directors. • Reimbursement of eligible family caregiver expenses up to $2,000 annually.
• An increase in travel time remuneration from $0.20 per kilometre to $0.30 per kilometre.
The Group Benefits and Family Caregiver allowance is designed to remove barriers for people looking to serve in elected office, providing for their mental and physical health, as well as providing reimbursement for family care obligations.
The recommendations were developed following a review by the Directors Remuneration Review Committee. The committee, composed of four elected officials and supported by two senior staff members, unanimously endorsed the proposed changes.
“The committee examined Director remuneration in detail and considered both the increasing workload requirements of elected officials and the need for fiscal responsibility,” says Board Chair Natalya Melnychuk.
“While opinions differed, the Board has now provided clear direction for remuneration moving forward and has addressed barriers that can make it challenging for people to serve in local government. This decision provides transparency for all potential candidates in the upcoming election,” she added.Golden BC Canada: exploring a gateway to Canada’s natural wonders 2025
