Including expenses, income and benefits, Port Coquitlam’s mayor and council took home $473,354 in 2021, according to the city’s recently released statement of financial information.
Port Coquitlam councillors were paid a base salary of $44,705 in 2021, with the exception of Coun. Laura Dupont, who was paid $40,482. Mayor Brad West was paid a base salary of $128,837.
Benefits, which include health and dental premiums, ranged from $2,420 paid to Dupont to $40,285 paid to West.
Expenses on council ranged from $831 for Coun. Steve Darling to $3,301 for West. Expenses often cover items such as transportation and lodging costs for conferences and government panels outside the city.
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Port Coquitlam paid city staff $32.9 million in 2021.
Including benefits and compensation, there were 107 city employees who earned more than $100,000 in 2021. The city’s director of finance topped city salaries with $212,834.
Property taxes and where they go
The city collected a total of $116 million in property taxes in 2021. After paying $33.2 million in school taxes and putting $7.6 million toward improved transportation along with other expenses, the city held onto $73.3 million. Combined with $25.9 million in utilities as well as cash from permits, contributions and investments,, the city counted $121.5 in revenue in 2021.
The city spent $106.5 million in 2021.
In terms of expenses, Port Coquitlam spent the biggest chunk of change – $18.3 million – on engineering and public works. The second largest expense was policing, which cost the city $17.3 million in 2021.
