By Staff
March 30th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The province of Ontario released the 2023 Sunshine list; the document that sets all those who earned more than $100,000 in the year 2023.
Here is a list of the top income earners for the city of Burlington, people earning over $200,000 a year.
The names in red are people who have retired or were let go.
When there are discussions related to staff salaries current City Manager Tim Commisso has explained that the city has to compete with other municipalities to get the talent it needs to be able t0 run a city that is expected to go through rapid population growth requiring large increases in housing. Because Burlington has very little in the way of land within the urban boundary that can be purchased by developers what land there is available gets used for high rise towers.
The planning expertise for high rise housing requires talent that Burlington just didn’t have. Add to that the changes made at the provincial level and you have a planning department that is struggling to stay on top of things.
Finally – there are the number of development application appeals that are at the Ontario Land Tribunal. Preparing for those requires staff time and the need for a beefed up legal department. It is far from a pretty picture.
Are other municipalities of comparable size going through the same experience? We do know that the Mayor of Guelph chose not to take on the Strong Mayor Powers and that they were given a decent chunk of money for meeting their development targets.
Which leads to the question: Is the Burlington situation unique ?
What is clear is that the city has experienced some significant retirements – they knew that was coming. The recent decision to let some very senior staff go hasn’t helped. The Mayor refuses to take responsibility for the decision citing information about people that is personal – yet the city manager was able to confirm that people the Gazette named has been let go. Looks and sounds like forked tongues to me
The decision on the part of the current Mayor to double down on the Strong Mayors powers hasn’t helped either. Add to that a Council that has yet to figure out a way to bring the Mayor to heal.
And finally – tax payers who have to pick up the cost of everything. Expect the tax payer blow back during the last budget presentation to be repeated next budget.
While Council may not have figured out how to put a leash on the Mayor – citizens know exactly what to do. Come the 2026 municipal election look for a blood bath.
| Name | Title | 2022 | 2023 | Increase % |
| Commisso, Tim | City Manager | $ 275,377.06 | $ 301,993.94 | 9.67 |
| Ford, Joan | Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer | $ 242,396.60 | $ 263,169.11 | 8.57 |
| Boyd, Laura | Executive Director, Human Resources | $ 211,310.92 | $ 256,119.08 | 21.20 |
| Magi, Allan | Executive Director, Environment, Infrastructure and Community Services | $ 237,624.68 | $ 254,034.58 | 6.91 |
| Shea Nicol, Nancy | Executive Director, Legal Services and Corporate Council | $ 242,464.89 | $ 253,409.31 | 4.51 |
| Jones, Sheila | Executive Director, Strategy Risk and Accountability | $ 217,058.93 | $ 226,593.50 | 4.39 |
| Nheiley, Brynn | Executive Director, Community Planning, Regulation and Mobility | $ 167,855.71 | $ 215,825.95 | 28.58 |
| Macdonald, Chad | Executive Director, Digital Service and Chief Information Officer | $ 192,306.17 | $ 214,654.08 | 11.62 |
| Scalera, Enrico | Director, Roads Parks and Forestry | $ 200,629.64 | $ 207,649.46 | 3.50 |
| Anastasopoulos, Nick | Director, Building Services and Chief Building Official | #N/A | $ 204,018.55 | #N/A |
| Kummer, Craig | Director, Transportation Services | $ 180,785.86 | $ 204,018.42 | 12.85 |
| Hamilton, Scott | Director, Engineering Services | $ 199,957.57 | $ 203,787.64 | 1.92 |
| Ako-Adjei, Kwab | Director, Corporate Communications and Engagement | $ 183,423.83 | $ 203,370.23 | 10.87 |
| Hurley, Blake | Executive Director, Legal Services and Corporate Council | $ 186,761.34 | $ 202,755.29 | 8.56 |
| Meed Ward, Marianne | Mayor | $ 191,619.82 | $ 202,712.11 | 5.79 |
This is a list of everyone who received an increase of 10% or more. The list includes members of the fire department where overtime is being used to manage a staffing shortage.
| Name | Title | 2022 | 2023 | Increase % |
| Pawlik, John | Deputy Fire Chief | $107,660.18 | $178,356.34 | 65.67 |
| Cote, Emilie | Director, Recreation, Community and Culture | $127,990.25 | $175,804.23 | 37.36 |
| Remedios, Shirley | Database Administrator | $100,782.49 | $137,108.19 | 36.04 |
| Begbie, Alison | Application Analyst | $102,272.67 | $134,975.90 | 31.98 |
| Schustyk, Kevin | Senior Traffic Signal Technician | $103,479.41 | $136,357.78 | 31.77 |
| Nheiley, Brynn | Executive Director, Community Planning, Regulation and Mobility | $167,855.71 | $215,825.95 | 28.58 |
| Bell, Alan | Architect, Digital Platform | $106,938.75 | $136,989.95 | 28.10 |
| Tellier, Jamie | Director, Community Planning | $142,899.43 | $180,291.55 | 26.17 |
| Robinson, David | Building Inspector | $102,171.96 | $126,663.32 | 23.97 |
| Kumar, Anil | Engineer, Building | $120,126.63 | $148,752.62 | 23.83 |
| Weaver, Judy | Architect, Digital Platform | $111,697.74 | $138,194.81 | 23.72 |
| Kerr, Amanda | Recreation Planner | $103,194.02 | $127,286.39 | 23.35 |
| Bethlehem, Gerald | Building Inspector | $100,414.34 | $123,658.76 | 23.15 |
| Savrnoch, Gerald | Building Inspector | $100,545.64 | $123,653.19 | 22.98 |
| Malik, Umar | Stormwater Engineer, Development | $115,485.79 | $141,089.04 | 22.17 |
| Mahrous, Ebtessam | Architect, Building | $103,014.34 | $125,849.61 | 22.17 |
| Naismith, Andrea | Consultant, Organizational Development | $101,103.42 | $123,295.77 | 21.95 |
| Obal, Leigh-Ann | Business Partner, Human Resources | $110,944.95 | $134,901.16 | 21.59 |
| Boyd, Laura | Executive Director, Human Resources | $211,310.92 | $256,119.08 | 21.20 |
| Mchugh, Tina | Manager, Data Analytics and Visualization | $116,705.43 | $141,019.05 | 20.83 |
| Gagliano, Michael | Architect, Digital Platform | $107,585.83 | $129,807.30 | 20.65 |
| Mark, Kristen | Application Analyst | $129,210.15 | $155,134.14 | 20.06 |
| Rabeau, Marion | Manager, Design and Construction – Parks | $126,372.16 | $151,688.54 | 20.03 |
| Farbotko, Michael | Architect, Digital Platform | $113,640.45 | $136,135.61 | 19.80 |
| Garcha, Kulbir | Manager, Information Technology Systems | $136,513.08 | $163,532.43 | 19.79 |
| Robichaud, Lynn | Manager, Environmental Sustainability | $118,676.33 | $141,670.27 | 19.38 |
| Kennedy, Trudy | Manager, Building Inspections and Deputy Chief Building Official | $131,370.09 | $156,128.34 | 18.85 |
| Renner, Kirsten | Supervisor, Payroll Services | $100,595.14 | $119,322.73 | 18.62 |
| King, Chris | Manager, Transportation Operations | $104,303.14 | $123,701.59 | 18.60 |
| Schut, Paul | Data Modeler | $104,471.20 | $123,677.97 | 18.38 |
| Maas, Andrew | Manager, Asset Planning | $131,568.75 | $155,165.03 | 17.93 |
| Woods, Donna | Business Partner, Human Resources | $114,109.63 | $134,295.75 | 17.69 |
| Beishuizen, Roy | Firefighter | $103,659.33 | $121,913.73 | 17.61 |
| Yaromich, Janine | Manager, Design and Construction – Roadways | $132,755.44 | $156,084.05 | 17.57 |
| Plas, Kyle | Manager, Development and Design | $138,949.20 | $163,114.45 | 17.39 |
| Swioklo, Paul | Manager, Corporate Fleet | $102,383.70 | $119,889.34 | 17.10 |
| Maxwell, Sandra | Manager, Festival and Events | $102,780.96 | $120,246.78 | 16.99 |
| Filice, Suzanne | Senior Business Partner, Labour Relations | $114,658.16 | $134,124.36 | 16.98 |
| Enns, Alison | Manager, Policy and Community Initiatives | $133,664.96 | $156,184.64 | 16.85 |
| Clark, Cary | Manager, Development and Stormwater Engineering | $142,428.20 | $166,384.24 | 16.82 |
| Wing, Paul | Firefighter | $102,973.19 | $120,060.90 | 16.59 |
| Baldelli, Catherine | Director, Transit | $149,493.96 | $174,144.74 | 16.49 |
| Spence, Jennifer | Manager, Recreation, Community and Culture Community Development | $106,365.67 | $123,815.43 | 16.41 |
| Evfremidis, Susan | Manager, Human Resource Services | $129,514.06 | $150,569.66 | 16.26 |
| Dwyer, Michelle | Manager, Engagement and Volunteers | $111,362.63 | $129,277.88 | 16.09 |
| Holloway, Corry | Fire Prevention Inspector | $112,486.52 | $130,088.27 | 15.65 |
| Temoche, Peter | Firefighter | $138,352.86 | $159,879.31 | 15.56 |
| Higman, William | Senior Plans Examiner | $102,956.62 | $118,966.26 | 15.55 |
| Foster, Chris | Public Safety Telecommunicator | $118,437.14 | $136,831.29 | 15.53 |
| Puletto, Jenna | Manager, Planning Implementation | $113,503.62 | $130,919.40 | 15.34 |
| D’Angelo, Amanda | Supervisor, Planning Services and Committee of Adjustment | $105,859.82 | $121,741.72 | 15.00 |
| Jurczyk, Maciej | City Auditor | $155,481.78 | $178,554.83 | 14.84 |
| Armstrong, Samantha | Captain | $130,827.54 | $149,751.06 | 14.46 |
| Moore, Michelle | Supervisor, Financial Reporting | $137,636.23 | $157,542.82 | 14.46 |
| Cowman, Peter | Supervisor, Field Services | $106,365.09 | $121,535.96 | 14.26 |
| Collins, Scott | Captain | $143,432.56 | $163,107.67 | 13.72 |
| Vanderlelie, Daniel | Platoon Chief | $155,071.80 | $176,127.68 | 13.58 |
| Weake, Brad | Manager, Tyandaga Golf Club | $112,472.06 | $127,470.65 | 13.34 |
| Yuill, Melissa | Analyst, Total Compensation | $113,303.82 | $128,401.90 | 13.33 |
| Tiamiyu, Adedunmola | Business Analyst | $102,701.57 | $116,175.89 | 13.12 |
| Kummer, Craig | Director, Transportation Services | $180,785.86 | $204,018.42 | 12.85 |
| Davren, Kerry | Manager, By-Law Enforcement | $130,493.51 | $147,230.57 | 12.83 |
| O’Reilly, Sandra | Controller and Manager, Financial Services | $151,874.12 | $171,229.94 | 12.74 |
| Peterson, Richard | Building Inspector | $111,344.99 | $125,441.38 | 12.66 |
| Turner, Brett | Firefighter | $123,677.97 | $139,102.66 | 12.47 |
| Jivan, Lori | Supervisor, Budgets and Policies | $128,894.13 | $144,900.01 | 12.42 |
| Boyd, Brett | Supervisor, Cemetery Operations | $105,502.43 | $118,556.60 | 12.37 |
| Ullah, Sef | Manager, Strategy and Portfolio Management | $129,552.45 | $145,440.78 | 12.26 |
| Selkirk, Colleen | Specialist, Procurement | $100,445.76 | $112,246.24 | 11.75 |
| Macdonald, Chad | Executive Director, Digital Service and Chief Information Officer | $192,306.17 | $214,654.08 | 11.62 |
| Bird, Marc-Andrew | Manager, Recreation, Community and Culture Customer Experience and Marketing | $105,462.82 | $117,653.54 | 11.56 |
| Pavlou, Kathy | Senior Plans Examiner | $102,836.60 | $114,688.02 | 11.52 |
| Medeiros, Joshua | Project Manager, Site Engineering | $102,516.79 | $114,313.57 | 11.51 |
| Krizan, Steve | Senior Plans Examiner | $101,556.55 | $113,176.19 | 11.44 |
| Mcisaac, Jeffrey | Supervisor, Site Engineering | $107,325.81 | $119,578.80 | 11.42 |
| Trella, Rich | Manager, Recreation, Community and Culture Facility Operations | $108,958.14 | $121,381.15 | 11.40 |
| Thorburn, Philip | Deputy Fire Chief | $163,407.25 | $181,717.60 | 11.21 |
| Akinloye, Florence | Supervisor, Accounting Services | $113,647.29 | $126,177.99 | 11.03 |
| Rukundo, Maxine | Business Analyst | $107,601.08 | $119,361.14 | 10.93 |
| Pedlar, Tom | Supervisor, Energy and Emissions | $106,034.59 | $117,608.51 | 10.92 |
| Duncan, Brian | Supervisor, Roads, Parks and Forestry Technical Services | $109,713.22 | $121,680.93 | 10.91 |
| Hagley, Robert | Supervisor, Customer Experience | $101,438.26 | $112,495.86 | 10.90 |
| Martin, Christopher | Incident Safety Officer | $148,072.93 | $164,212.84 | 10.90 |
| Ako-Adjei, Kwab | Director, Corporate Communications and Engagement | $183,423.83 | $203,370.23 | 10.87 |
| Kewell, John | Senior Plans Examiner | $109,928.18 | $121,862.39 | 10.86 |
| Rodgers, Mark | Firefighter | $114,323.26 | $126,445.98 | 10.60 |
| Sidhu, Kirpal | Transit Operator | $102,497.59 | $113,362.26 | 10.60 |
| Ellis, Rebecca | Supervisor, Landscape Architecture | $100,431.29 | $111,049.12 | 10.57 |
| Cook, Kelly | Senior Planner, Policy | $101,173.99 | $111,825.25 | 10.53 |
| Romlewski, Samantha | Senior Planner, Community Initiatives | $101,174.03 | $111,825.22 | 10.53 |
| Tuomi, Alyshia | Supervisor, Asset Management | $106,972.07 | $118,219.95 | 10.51 |
| Girgis, Hany | Transit Operator | $121,617.68 | $134,151.55 | 10.31 |
The “Sunshine List” should be adjusted for inflation. Since this annual exercise started in 1995, $100k now equals about $160k
After reading the list a couple of times, I think there is a new definition of obscene. When you read this information along with the sunshine list it is easy to conclude that politicians of all stripes at all levels are out of control. Unfortunately these same politicians are in the same trough enjoying the largess they provide for themselves.
This is absolutely insane. In the public sector (mental health and community services), we have been getting 1% increases per year. When I see 20% raises on already inflated salaries…. Wow.
One would think city officials were providing community services….
After reading the list a number of times, I think we have a new definition for obscene. It is the pay grades and size of increases for government employees. When you add this information to the recent publication of the sunshine list you can see the need to start over. It will be hard since the people who can correct the problem are deep in the trough themselves.
The rest of us are on a strict budget!
The firemen are at work 8 days a month( 24 hr shifts)which a significant
portion is deemed downtime( everyone needs proper rest every 24 hours).
How is overtime calculated. If they are woken up from their paid time sleeping to attend an event, would that be overtime? Is overtime calculated if any “work”
time impedes into their downtime. Any clarification would be helpful.
We have fireman on our street that always seem to be home. Not knocking individual fire folks……but the system seems in need of some
Fine tuning.
I don’t recall teachers and nurses getting annual raises like these.Who decides Santa Claus???
I’d like to read the doublespeak if the City were asked outright for an answer to your very legitimate question. Of course, the raises go towards explaining the unconscionable rise in our taxes. Although I guess some of those raises match the property tax percentage increase – probably not for the rank and file workers though…..
Not sure why the City of Burlington needs a Planning Department because the Developers are making all the decisions.
You, unfortunately, are so right!
This is totally insane!! No wonder our Property Taxes are so high. People working in the Private sector are lucky if they get between 1 and 2% per year.
These salaries, plus all the other money our City Council spends on their vanity and Legacy projects needs to stop! Residents can’t afford all of their multiple and ongoing projects which are Not needed and Not necessary.