Image: Cultus Lake Park / Cultus Lake Park Board commissioners consist of (left to right) Vice Chair John Beesley, Chair Kirk Dzaman, Commissioner Erika Jartved, Commissioner Tom Moul and Commissioner Darcy Bauer. Their 2023 remuneration increased slightly. 

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Cultus Lake Park Board

Park Board commissioner pay increases, but remains lowest of Chilliwack-area elected officials

Jun 17, 2024 | 1:39 PM

CHILLIWACK — Salary information released by the Cultus Lake Park reveals that commissioners received a bit more pay in 2023 compared to the previous year, and are the most modestly paid of all Chilliwack-area elected officials.

According to remuneration documents contained within this week’s Cultus Lake Park Board agenda, commissioners Darcy Bauer, Erika Jartved and Thomas Moul were each paid $17,728.20 in 2023 for their service on the park board. The $17,728.20 figure includes a $100/monthly communications allowance for a cell phone and any other tech services park board commissioners need to communicate.

Vice-chair John Beesley earned a slightly higher amount $20,577.96, while board chair Kirk Dzaman was compensated $27,987.24. Salaries of Beesley and Dzaman also included the $100/monthly communications expenses.

Board chairs and vice chairs are paid a higher amount for more responsibilities.

The remuneration increase reflects a slight increase over the 2022 figures. Former commissioner and board chair David Renwick received the highest salary of his fellow board members in 2022 at $21,940.60, of which $1,000 was a communications expense. Renwick elected not to run for reelection in the October 2022 municipal elections. The next highest-paid commissioner was new board chair Kirk Dzaman at $20,536.62.

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Next up for 2022 remuneration was Darcy Bauer ($16,704.46), who was acclaimed in the October 2022 municipal election along with Dzaman because they had no challengers. Outgoing park board commissioners Lawrence Payeur and Casey Smit, who were not reelected from Cultus Lake itself, each received $13, 920.80 for serving from January-October 2022.

Park board commissioners sit on several committees and respond to constituents in addition to their monthly board meetings.

Elected officials in the Chilliwack area are paid more than Cultus Lake Park Board commissioners.

As of July 2023, Chilliwack Board of Education trustees earn a base salary of $24,847. The vice chair receive $26,314, while the board chair earns $28,128. The base salary is about $2,070 per month before tax.

Electoral area representatives on the Fraser Valley Regional District board, who are not serving on a city council, are paid at least $36,000 annually.

Chilliwack city councillors were compensated a base salary of $49,350 for their time and services in 2023, as well as expenses incurred in their work. Mayor Ken Popove received a base pay of $134,559 in 2023.

Members of the Legislative Assembly receive a base compensation of $119,532.72.