Council has approved changes to the city’s council remuneration policy, converting it from a policy to a bylaw — a move the city said will increase transparency and strengthen accountability.
The conversion does not affect salaries for mayor or council, but it does increase the annual maximum expense allowance from $5,000 to $8,000.
It also allows the city to withhold or reduce pay to those who are in debt to the city.
In April, Beem Credit Union filed a petition in B.C. Supreme Court seeking foreclosure on Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson’s downtown property due to unpaid debts of more than $450,000. The mayor has been trying to sell the property since 2024 and, according to the petition, also has unpaid property taxes.
It is not known if any other members of council currently owe property taxes or other debts to the city.
According to the report prepared by city staff and presented to council, converting the policy into a bylaw would increase transparency for council compensation, clarify applicable remuneration and expense processes, strengthen administrative certainty and accountability, and establish a clear and consistent regulatory framework.
Prior to discussing the proposed bylaw, the city’s corporate officer Maria Mazzotta invited declarations of conflict of interest.
Coun. Neustaeter recused herself, citing her involvement in the mayor’s defamation lawsuit against her, which was dismissed by a B.C. Supreme Court judge in January. Hamer-Jackson later appealed that dismissal and the case is still ongoing in the B.C. Court of Appeal.
When Hamer-Jackson attempted to continue the meeting, Mazzotta sought further clarity from him regarding any potential conflicts, given Neustaeter’s reason for stepping out of the meeting.
The mayor argued that his litigation did not involve the city, despite the fact that Coun. Neustaeter is eligible to have her costs covered through indemnification by the city, should she be found liable.
Hamer-Jackson spoke over Mazzotta repeatedly while she was further explaining the inquiry.
“That’s great. That’s great. This is Reid Hamer-Jackson and Keturah Neustaeter, not the City of Kamloops,” he said.
“So you are on the record as stating that you do not believe yourself to be in conflict with this council remuneration bylaw?” Mazzotta asked again.
“That’s correct,” Hamer-Jackson replied.
Once the discussion began, Hamer-Jackson recommended to table the bylaw conversion until after the election.
Coun. Mike O’Reilly seconded the motion by Hamer-Jackson to postpone the matter, hoping for further discussion, but Hamer-Jackson himself voted that down once seconded, apparently confusing his own motion for the bylaw itself, which had not yet been discussed.
Coun. Bill Sarai then inquired with the mayor what reason he would have to postpone, considering it would only affect travel expenses, which he said have increased since the policy was last updated, and would not affect council’s pay directly.
Hamer-Jackson’s argument for postponement didn’t win over Sarai.
“I’m not sure if you know, but on Oct. 17, there’s an election,” Hamer-Jackson said, suggesting the next council tackle the matter instead.
The bylaw was approved, with only Hamer-Jackson in opposition.