Ex-manager's final pay was 'excessive', Regina mayor says

Regina's mayor says the final pay package for the city's recently retired top official $717,000 was "excessive," but it was agreed to by council.

"It is large, no question. It is excessive," Michael Fougere said Wednesday. "But it is a contract that is now finished and that payment has been made."

• Former Regina city manager's $700K payday

• City manager Glen Davies announces retirement

Fougere was referring to the final payment, disclosed in the city's financial reports, made to former city manager Glen Davies, who retired in 2015 after nine years as the city's top administrator.

When asked about how Davies came to such a salary, Fougere said it was part of his contract.

"It was negotiated with the previous council," Fougere added. Davies was brought to the city in 2006 when Pat Fiacco was mayor and Fougere was a member of council.

The city manager position is one of a handful of senior administrators who are hired directly by city council.

According to the public accounts, in 2015 Davies received his base salary (for 10 months) of $248,081 and was also given $468,921 as "other" remuneration. The report said that may include credits for unused vacation or sick days as well as "amounts paid to an employee upon termination".

Days after announcing his Regina retirement, Davies had lined up another job. The Ontario community of Gravenhurst announced in July that Davies was joining them on Nov. 2, 2015, as the town's chief administrative officer.

Fougere said Wednesday that Davies' Regina successor, Chris Holden, does not have a similar contract.

"That's the kind of contract that's not been agreed to with the current city manager," Fougere said. "It's much more modest in its scope."

Fougere said the current council also played a role in determining Holden's pay.

"We've taken steps, this council me as mayor has taken steps for the current city manager's contract to be not nearly as excessive as that," he said.