The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) will find it challenging to meet the budget increase directed by regional council for next year, Chief Stephen Tanner told members of the Police Services Board during their most recent meeting.
At a quick public session that lasted about 30 minutes before going in camera, or behind closed doors, Tanner was on hand to provide comments and answer questions about the timeline for the budget discussion process this fall.
Halton’s treasurer has indicated that the police board’s 2024 budget increase should not exceed 5.7 per cent.
Chief Governance Officer Fred Kaustinen noted that budget options are slated to be presented to the board in September and a budget workshop is planned for Oct. 6, with a target date of approval at the October board meeting, in line with the regional council budget target date of Nov. 15.
“The chief is to provide budget options for policing, articulating how each option relates to the board strategic plan, as well as the comparative benefits and relative return on investment of each budget option,” he told the board.
Tanner indicated to the board that budget options are being prepared and they are based on percentages. And while most of the budget items are fixed, or associated with provincial requirements, the key variable will be staff.
“The difference will be how many people can we hire to meet the needs of the communities that we serve,” he told the board. “So, we can present that based on a percentage increase basis; 5.7 (per cent) means we can hire six police officers; 6.7 means we can hire this (number).”
Tanner highlighted several pressures that will impact the budget this year and next, such as the purchase of new conducted energy weapons (tasers), and potentially equipping all police vehicles with C8 automatic rifles and training officers in their use.
“We will find it difficult to meet the 5.7 (per cent),” he said. “We will endeavour to come as close to that as we can.”
The Halton Police Board meets next on Sept. 28.
