Halton Police are looking for a 9.5 per cent increase to their budget next year.
That translates to a boost of $17.8 million for a total capital and operating budget of $203.8 million in 2024. The service’s 2023 budget was $186 million, a 5.7 per cent increase over 2022.
Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) Chief Stephen Tanner presented three budget options to the police board at their Oct. 26 meeting, one with a 10.1 per cent increase, one at 9.5 per cent, and one at 8.9 per cent.
In outlining the differences between the three proposed options, Tanner noted that both the 10.1 per cent increase and the 9.5 per cent increase would enable the service to add 49 new officers and 24 civilian positions next year. The 8.9 per cent increase option would decrease those numbers to 47 new officers and 13 civilian staff positions.
The 9.5 per cent option that was unanimously approved by the board removes $1 million from the base funding, which will impact the following year’s budget, noted Tanner.
“Saving a million dollars will have some impact on our base budget for 2025 when we move forward, because that budget will be based on $1 million less,” he told the board. “It will also have some impact on capital financing because we will reduce some of the reserves at the end of 2024.”
The proposed police budget will be presented when Halton Regional Council begins its budget deliberations in November. Halton’s treasurer had mandated that the police service budget increase for 2024 not exceed 5.7 per cent.
Tanner’s presentation outlined the pressures the HRPS is facing, including an increase in population, recent provincial legislation that comes into effect in 2024 that will require all front-line officers to be equipped with C-8 rifles and training, increases in fuel costs and the need to upgrade and replace front-line technology tools.
The budget proposal also included a 10-year capital forecast, as well as a five-year financial forecast.
The capital forecast projects spending of $92.2 million through 2033, while the five-year forecast projects spending increases each year ranging from 6.3 per cent in 2025 to 5.9 per cent in 2028.
