By Lindsey Stuckless
The Haldimand Press
HALDIMAND—Thirty-two Haldimand County employees made over $100,000 in 2019, and for the first time ever, the mayoral position was on the list as Mayor Ken Hewitt’s salary in 2019 reached $105,903.92.
Hewitt said his name is on the list this year because Council made changes to councillor salaries in response to new tax legislation.
“On paper we (councillors) have a higher income, but when you add the taxes we have the same net pay as last year,” said Hewitt.
Haldimand County’s Sunshine List grew by five employees over the 2018 total. The County’s highest-paid employee is Chief Administrative Officer Craig Manley, with a salary of $179,557.92. Manley took over the position partway through 2019. Former CAO Don Boyle made $146,305.98 in 2019, compared to a full-year’s salary of $196,346.48 in 2018.
Seven non-management positions made the list. In addition to the Mayor, two registered nurses, three paramedics, and a full-time employee who is also a paid volunteer made more than $100,000.
While the base salary for a permanent full-time registered nurse is $91,500, overtime and additional shift premiums can push their pay over the threshold. Three paramedics were on the list because of overtime shifts or working a temporary full-time assignment before being hired on permanently. When working as a temporary full-time assignment, paramedics are still considered part-time and, in addition to their base wage, get 14% of salary instead of benefits as well as vacation pay.
One additional non-management employee also made the list because the staff member is both a full-time employee and a volunteer firefighter with the County. Combined, the individual’s full-time income and volunteer payments exceeded $100,000.
In a report to Council, staff says the number of non-management staff making over $100,000 will continue to grow if the $100,000 salary threshold does not change. The report states that if the salary limit had changed each year with inflation, the approximate 2019 threshold would be $155,000, which would only leave CAO Manley on the list.
Councillor Bernie Corbett said that he is concerned that the list can be used for intimidation and ridicule.
“Every year we get this list and the threshold needs to be raised,” said Corbett. “The people on the list are hardworking and now are a target for some.”
Some Halidmand employees saw a significant increase of over $10,000 or more in 2019 compared to their 2018 salaries. Director of Human Resources Megan Jamieson said the changes reflect the County’s reorganization in November 2018.
“Following key retirements in our senior management team, changes were made that led to the noted increases,” said Jamieson.
Jamieson explained that many of the employees with larger increases were promoted at the end of 2018, and therefore their title has been the same for two years since employees are listed by their job title as of December 31. While their title remained the same from 2018, 2019 is the first year their new salary was paid in full.
The Sunshine List began in 1996 when the Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act required organizations that received public funding from the Government of Ontario to disclose the names, positions, salaries, and taxable benefits of employees paid $100,000 or more a year.
The 2019 Sunshine List
Craig Manley Chief Administrative Officer $179,557.92 ($975.90)
Tyson Haedrich General Manager Engineering and Capital Works $151,254.65 ($977.04)
Philip Mete General Manager Public Works Operations $147,427.76 ($965.00)
Donald Boyle Chief Administrative Officer (Former) $146,305.98 (909.78)
Cathy Case General Manager Corporate and Social Services $143,888.56 ($943.35)
Ernest Hammond Project Manager Central Administration Project $138.930.03 ($875.34)
Mark Merritt General Manager Financial and Data Services $138,355.96 ($905.22)
David Aldred Manager Facilities Capital and Asset Management $132,314.22 ($832.74)
Michael Evers General Manager Community and Development Services $131,549.24 ($852.48)
Wray Oakes Manager Roads Operations $127,288.94 ($700.50)
John Fagan Manager Fleet Operations $127,411.63 ($832.74)
Megan Jamieson Director of Human Resources $127,411.57 ($832.74)
Jefferey Oakes Manager Environmental Operations $127,411.54 ($832.74)
Wilma Koziello Manager Information Systems $125,026.55 ($819.78)
Lori Friesen Manager Legal and Support Services $124,753.52 ($749.07)
David Pressey Manager Facilities, Parks, Cemetaries, and Foresty Operations $121,406.87 ($791.55)
Jason Gallagher Manager Emergency Services/Fire Chief $120,844.85 (793.80)
Randall Charlton Manager Building and Municipal Enforcement Services $119,072.41 ($780.72)
Evelyn Eichenbaum Manager Citizen and Legislative Services/Clerk $119,072.41 ($780.72)
Lidy Romanuk Manager Economic Development and Tourism $119,072.39 ($780.72)
Philip Wilson Manager Water and Wastewater Engineering and Compliance $113,774.67 ($744.37)
Charmaine Corlis Treasurer $113,334.00 ($730.97)
Kristopher Franklin Manager Engineering Sevices $113,129.39 ($730.97)
Paul Diette Chief Executive Officer Libraries $112,970.30 ($739.20)
Jennifer Jacob Administrator Grandview Lodge $107,043.73 ($698.42)
Ken Hewitt Mayor $105,903.52 ($487.92)
Carmen Lampman Paramedic 1 Ambulance Attendant $105,420.00 ($0)
Brent Schwoob Paramedic 1 Ambulance Attendant $105,350.92 ($0)
Beth Brown Registered Nurse $103,949.79 ($496.52)
Steve Grant Foreperson Roads Operations/Captain, Fire $101,730.92 ($566.55)
Jodi Skitch Registered Nurse $101,638.97 ($495.20)
Shane Strader Paramedic 1 Ambulance Attendant $100,469.86 ($259.26)
