The District of Sooke spent just under $100,000 more on payroll in 2022 compared to 2021, according to recently released financial information statements.
 
The rise in remuneration reported, which stood at 1.5 percent, may have been influenced by hiring new positions during the middle of 2022.
 
In 2022, District employees earning more than $75,000 per year grew to 39 individuals, up from 37 in 2021.
 
These employees accounted for $4.2 million of the district's total payroll of $6.6 million last year.
 
Among the highest-paid staff members for the year ending on 31 Dec 2022 were fire captain Cam Norris-Jones, who earned $170,654, fire captain Chris McCrea with $160,460, Fire Chief Ted Ruiter, with $152,102, firefighter Grayson Kerr with $149,703, and financial director Raechel Gray with $147,961.
 
In 2022, the District had two chief administrative officers.
 
On medical leave, Norm McInnis earned $119,843, while interim officer Don Schaffer received $91,935.
 
Kevin Pearson, a newly elected councillor who joined council on 15 Oct 2022, earned a salary of $3,181 and did not claim any expenses.
 
Ebony Logins, who did not run for re-election, earned a salary of $13,616 and claimed $1,400 in expenses.
 
Re-elected councillors Jeff Bateman, Al Beddows, Dana Lajeunesse, Megan McMath, and Tony St-Pierre earned $16,797 each in 2022.
 
Lajeunesse had expenses totalling $8,354, Beddows spent $7,147, McMath claimed $5,162, Bateman had $4,228, and St-Pierre claimed $3,739.
 
Mayor Maja Tait earned $34,812 in 2022 and claimed $8,138 in expenses.
 
Kevin Laird.

Expenses for what?