The Regional District of Central Kootenay has approved a series of changes to how directors are compensated and reimbursed for meetings, travel and professional development.
The revisions stem from a review by the RDCK’s directors remuneration select committee aimed at creating more consistent compensation policies.
The decisions, made during Thursday’s board meeting, introduce new limits on travel spending, adjustments to rules around meeting attendance and updates to how expenses are calculated across the region.
Among the most significant changes is a new $3,000 annual cap on mileage reimbursement for directors, intended to provide predictability around travel costs while recognizing the region’s geography.
Changes were also approved for attendance and compensation rules for alternate directors.
Under the new policy, if a director misses a board meeting, the alternate’s meeting rate will be deducted from the director’s monthly stipend after multiple absences within a calendar year.
Area A Director Gary Jackman spoke against the change, arguing that being unable to attend a meeting does not lessen directors’ workloads.
“If I couldn’t make a meeting, I still have to read everything. I have to understand the full work,” he said. “Sitting here isn’t the job.”
One of the most contentious items was a proposal to limit attendance at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities conference to two times per director per term.
Area I Director Andy Davidoff emphasized that the goal is “consistency and cost control” in how professional development is managed.
“I’m in favor of the motion as a cost-cutting measure, but I think we also need to think about strategic attendance where maybe it makes sense for more people to go or whatever. So cost cutting, yes, but strategic attendance is critical,” said Davidoff.
However, other directors argued the conference remains an important venue for relationship-building and advocacy at the federal level.
“The FCM, I feel, is part of the factional development of each of us,” said Area F Director Tom Newell.
“I think it’s of particular importance for new directors. I found it amazingly informative, the first seven that I attended,” he added.
A separate policy change will formalize board workshop expectations, with the first six workshops each year now considered part of a director’s regular duties and not eligible for additional stipends.
Area C Director Kelly Vandenberg asked for clarity on whether expenses will be covered.
“I will start off by saying that the value of having workshops as a tool, I cannot express how important it is. It’s the only place where we get to explore and really understand what we’re trying to achieve,” he said.
“I just need the clarity that if I’m going to drive across the mountain, that I can still claim that mileage expense regardless if it falls in this or not.”
Staff confirmed that if the workshop does not qualify for additional stipends, directors will be reimbursed for travel expenses.
Other concerns raised involved equity, particularly for rural directors who may face longer travel times.
“I do believe there’s a bit of an inequity between how far you have to travel to go to these workshops,” said Davidoff.
But Castlegar Director Maria McFaddin argued that is what directors signed up for.
“From my perspective, I don’t think anyone gets into this for the money and we need to be careful when we talk about this. At the committee level you are getting paid,” she said.
“So by saying that we’re now not getting paid for workshops makes it sound like you’re not getting paid to do it. What we’re saying is your stipend you get monthly includes that,” she added.
“When you show up at this table you are getting paid.”
After several amendments to clarify the language and intent, the board approved the motion.
Other approved changes include aligning meal and incidental rates with B.C. provincial employee standards and updating how carpooling reimbursements are calculated for conference travel.
Staff will now prepare amendments to the district’s remuneration bylaw, with changes expected to take effect Jan. 1, 2027.
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