South Burnett Regional Council CEO Mark Pitt, Mayor Brett Otto’s wages

Ratepayers are forking out more than a million dollars a year for council’s executives and elected representatives’ wages with a new report showing its highest earners.

Ratepayers have coughed up over $1.59m in remuneration to South Burnett Regional Council’s senior staff and elected representatives in the past year.

Ratepayers have coughed up more than $1.59m in remuneration to South Burnett Regional Council’s senior staff and elected representatives in the past year.

Wages for councillors and senior staff have been revealed in the council’s 2021-22 annual report.

Senior executives were paid a total of $974,022 with two staff members earning between $200,000-$300,000 a year.

These payments included redundancies, lump sums and higher duties.

South Burnett mayor, depuy mayor and six councillors received $624,462.34 in remuneration across the year.

Mayor, Councillors and CEO on Denim Day

Mayor Brett Otto received the highest pay at $146,735.04.

This included a salary of more than $130,000, plus more than $13,000 in superannuation.

Deputy mayor Gavin Jones earned $91,708.96 including more than $8000 in superannuation.

Councillors Danita Potter, Scott Henschen, Kristie Schumacher and Kathy Duff each received $79,366.71 including $8,491.08 in superannuation.

Jane Erkens - who was elected at the May by-election - received $10,532.21.

The total cost of councillor expenses including mobile phones, accomodation, meals and professional development was calculated at more than $20,000.

Kirstie Schumacher spent the most including $2,976.82 for accomodation and meals and $4,945.66 for professional development.

Councillor wages are set by the independent Local Government Remuneration Commission.