If the Township of Langley was a private corporation, it would be a $1.5 billion operation that pays its chief administrative officer (CAO) $300,000 a year to be responsible for 1,300 employees.
The argument was made after the legally-required annual statement of financial information for municipal staff was released in July and provoked a number of complaints about the amount CAO Mark Bakken was paid.
In response to one email suggesting Bakken wasn’t worth the money, Township Human Resources director Shannon Harvey-Renner sent a reply that said the salary paid to top Township managers “reflect the extensive training, skill, expertise and experience that is required to run an organization the size and scope of Langley Township, which is essentially a $1.5 billion corporation.”
The email goes on to say that “his (Bakken’s) compensation reflects the enormous knowledge, responsibility and level of accountability that comes with overseeing every aspect of a corporation.”
It notes that Bakken has held his current position for 20 years, possesses multiple degrees in law and business administration and put in 2,600 hours on the job last year, compared to the average work year of 1,950.
“The CAO is the final authority for the municipality, and is never off duty.”
The email exchange ended in September with a reply from the resident (whose name was redacted under council privacy rules) that complained the prime minister makes about the same to run the whole country.
Stats show the average pay for a private sector CEO in Canada is $9.1 million, or more than 30 times more than the Township pays Bakken, one of seven Langley Township employees who made more than $200,000 last year.
As the top administrator, Bakken made the most, $291,898 in remuneration plus $11,906 in expenses.
Next was engineering and community development manager Ramin Seifi, who made $246,101 plus $9,873 expenses.
General manager of municipal administration and community services Jason Winslade made $247,371 plus $1,271 in expenses.
Harvey-Renner made $204,731 plus $2,013 in expenses.
Finance director Hilary Tsikayi made $204,731 plus $1,367 in expenses.
Then-parks and recreation director David Leavers made $204,888 plus $649 in expenses.
Public works director Roeland Zwaag made $195,349 plus $5,245 in expenses.
The average B.C. salary is $46,900.