The chair of a local watchdog group says the controversial compensation package for SaanichB次元官网网址檚 top cop sends the B次元官网网址渨rong signalB次元官网网址� and wonders whether residents will be responsible for similar arrangements in the future.

B次元官网网址淪aanich taxpayers have a right to know if a similar huge financial obligation is in place for other civic employees and how mayor and council intend to manage the obligation,B次元官网网址� said Stan Bartlett, chair of the Grumpy Taxpayer$ of Greater Victoria.

He made those comments after the public learned last week that Saanich paid Chief Constable Bob Downie $378,790 following his retirement on July 31, only to rehire him as a contractor for two years (plus an option year), with an annual salary of about $222,711 plus benefits, vacation, leaves of absence and expense reimbursements.

B次元官网网址 of this arrangement has caused considerable anger on social media and coloured the debate for the upcoming municipal byelection on Sept. 23.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 now a perfect time for voters to have an adult conversation and ask the mayor of Saanich and police board some tough questions about how they are spending tax dollars,B次元官网网址� he said.

Mayor Richard Atwell B次元官网网址� who chairs the police board B次元官网网址� said he understands the concerns of residents, while defending the arrangement.

He said it was something that was weighed at the police board.

Atwell said DownieB次元官网网址檚 compensation package does not constitute an B次元官网网址渁dditional costB次元官网网址� for residents. If Saanich had maintained DownieB次元官网网址檚 previous status as an employee of the Saanich Police Department, he would have received the figure of almost $380,000 upon retirement.

B次元官网网址淲e brought those costs forward three years,B次元官网网址� said Atwell. B次元官网网址淏ut those would have been the same inevitable costs that would have been paid out in 2020.B次元官网网址�

It is also possible that his salary upon retirement could have exceeded his annual salary as a contractor, Atwell added. This arrangement has allowed Saanich to hold the line on expenses, while setting out a clear time line for finding a replacement, he said.

Bartlett is not so sure. B次元官网网址淭he Saanich police board knew about this impending retirement and bungled the issue,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭heir actions send the wrong message B次元官网网址� that thereB次元官网网址檚 not much limit to taxpayersB次元官网网址� generosity B次元官网网址� to other senior staff at Saanich and to other municipalities.B次元官网网址�

Atwell said that Saanich may need up to three years to find a replacement for Downie. He said Saanich didnB次元官网网址檛 immediately start looking for a new police chief, because the chief didnB次元官网网址檛 announce that he intended to retire immediately.

B次元官网网址淗e announced that he intended to retire three years from now,B次元官网网址� said Atwell. B次元官网网址淪o we looked at that timeline and tried to figure out what was the best way to reach that point in time.B次元官网网址�

DownieB次元官网网址檚 compensation package breaks down to $126,000 in severance and $252,000 in banked time.

B次元官网网址淐hief Downie is entitled to his annual pay, pension and the undisclosed benefits, which are typically costed at about 25 per cent of salary,B次元官网网址� said Bartlett. B次元官网网址淭he greatest issue is around the reported payout of $126,000 in severance and $252,000 in banked time.

Atwell said the police board has tried to reduce these costs for taxpayers. B次元官网网址淏ut these were inevitable costs that have been built up over the many years that the chief has been at the department, and it is very similar to what you have perhaps seen at other departments when chiefs retire after a long career.B次元官网网址�

Bartlett, however, said he wants more answers. B次元官网网址淲hy has a huge amount of banked time been allowed to accumulate?B次元官网网址� he asked. B次元官网网址淲as the banked time accumulated while in a non-management capacity? What percentage of banked time is unused sick leave thatB次元官网网址檚 been converted to a payout?B次元官网网址�

Coun. Colin Plant is also interested in getting some answers. He B次元官网网址� like the media B次元官网网址� found about DownieB次元官网网址檚 retirement through the press release that announced it. B次元官网网址淚 was surprised to hear that our chief had retired six weeks ago, then hired back,B次元官网网址� he said.

Plant said he does not know enough to comment on DownieB次元官网网址檚 specific arrangement, but plans to ask for additional information during councilB次元官网网址檚 next in-camera meeting.

Plant said he also wants to learn more about salaries for senior directors, whose contracts remain outside collective existing bargaining agreements.

B次元官网网址淚 believe we need to look at ways to ensure that we are paying the right amount,B次元官网网址� he said.

Such a review, however, cannot happen in isolation, because salaries paid elsewhere help determine salaries in Saanich, he said. B次元官网网址淯nless something happens at the provincial level, it will be very hard for Saanich to deal on its own with senior directorsB次元官网网址� salaries,B次元官网网址� he said.

Atwell admitted the police board could have done a better job communicating the contract.