Stands at 9.9% increase
Despite concern that funding won’t be available for unanticipated expenses in 2024, Sarnia’s Police Services board unanimously voted today not to appeal next year’s budget.
Instead, the board agreed with city council on a police budget of $33.4 million, which is a 9.9% increase over 2023.
Chief Derek Davis called it a “front line” budget that addresses community safety, adds a canine (K9) officer to the department, crime analyst, two civilian communications (911/dispatch), four additional sergeant positions, and a corporate communications coordinator.
About 92% of the budget covers salaries and benefits.
The original budget sent for city council approval included another $450,000 to put into reserves for future building needs, and another $25,000 in operational expenses.
City council doesn’t have the authority to cut specific police budget items but sent the budget back to the police board with a $475,000 reduction.
The board had the right to accept city council’s directive or appeal to the province for a budget review under the Police Services Act.
Davis and several board members said they are concerned that a major crime or unanticipated capital expense in 2024 will leave the police underfunded.
“I do feel uneasy,” said board member Charlene Sebastian. “I don’t think it’s fiscally responsible.”
“What we are dealing with now is risk management….and ensuring we are adequately funded,” said Davis.
Police headquarters on Christina has “significant deficiencies” and requires an estimated $4 million in structural and building code improvements as a result of little reinvestment in decades, he said.
There’s “inherent risk” in not setting $450,000 aside in reserves for a building fund, said board chairman Paul Wiersma.
It’s hoped the additional $25,000 cut from the operating budget will be recouped in contract charges for dispatch services.
And if unexpected expenses do crop up, like the loss of a cruiser or a large-scale investigation, it may be necessary to go back to city council for further consideration, said Wiersma.
Coun. Chrissy McRoberts is one of two council reps on the police board and made only one comment about the budget Thursday.
“I think it may be good if we have to approach council, to justify it by naming exactly what is needed,” she said. Coun. George Vandenberg was absent.
Wiersma said after the meeting that he appreciates the collaborative relationship between city council and Sarnia Police Services.
“We didn’t get everything we asked for,” he said. But the cut of $475,000 is only about 1.4% of the total budget and is a “significant number but not overly significant.
“We still have a 9.89% increase in the budget for next year and we are pleased with that,” said Wiersma.
