Central Otago district councillors and the mayor were paid a total of more than $267,000 in remuneration during the past financial year - almost the same amount paid to the council's top-earning staff member.
The annual report, which was discussed at yesterday's council meeting, listed the remuneration paid to councillors, Mayor Dr Malcolm Macpherson and also the wages paid to the council's executive staff.
The remuneration for the mayor and councillors is made up of three components, an honorarium, a meeting allowance and claims for travel and other expenses.
Dr Macpherson received $63,633, while councillors' remuneration ranged from $27,087 to $9296.
The report said the salary paid to the outgoing chief executive, John Cooney, from July 2008 until he finished in the role on May 29 this year, was $244,945.
That figure included outstanding leave.
The salary package for the new chief executive, Phil Melhopt, is calculated at $200,000.
Other executive staff were paid salaries ranging from $110,000 to $150,000.
The four executive staff who make up the key management team with Mr Melhopt are corporate services manager Susan Finlay (Heather Kinsey during the past financial year), planning manager Louise van der Voort, assets and contracts manager Murray Washington and district development manager Anne Pullar.
During the year ended June 2009, two were paid $110,000-$120,000, one was paid $120,000- $130,000 and another was paid $140,000-$150,000.
Mrs Finlay said the council had recorded a net surplus of $7.4 million for the year, but contributing to that figure were vested assets of $6.2 million and asset sales of $2.9 million.
"Without these items we would have been in deficit," Mrs Finlay said.
"So we're not having a big party then," Cr Clair Higginson said.
The council's parks and reserves were revalued for the first time, and are estimated to be worth more than $5 million.
Council assets include forestry blocks at Alexandra, Cromwell, Ranfurly, Naseby and Roxburgh.
These are viewed as long-term investments.
What they were paid
Central Otago district councillors remuneration for 2008-2009 (including expenses).
Malcolm Macpherson -- $63,633
Neil Gillespie -- $27,097
Tony Lepper -- $25,771
John Lane -- $25,107
Terry Emmitt -- $23,446
Barry Becker -- $22,776
Graeme Bell -- $22,229
Clair Higginson -- $18,841
Gordon Stewart -- $18,135
Lynley Claridge -- $11,071
Steve Battrick -- $9296
* Central Otago district mayor
