Legalized pot, loss of grant funding and the need to renovate their headquarters are some of the factors squeezing the Greater Sudbury Police budget, members of the police services board will hear Thursday.
A report on the state of the $57-million police budget will be reviewed by board members, after a request from city council to do what they can to limit budget increases so the property tax increase doesn't exceed 3.5 per cent in 2019.
With about 85 per cent of the budget devoted to salaries and benefits, officials have little fiscal wiggle room. And even the 3.8-per-cent increase estimated for next year could be unrealistic, because of the unknown costs for officers to enforce the rules surrounding legalized marijuana, which take effect Oct. 17.
“Although the cost of implementing Cannabis Act legislation is not specifically known, it is anticipated that there could be a two-per-cent impact on the GSPS budget, worth approximately $1.1 million,” the report said.
While upper levels of government have said there would be money available, no details have been released, nor have the costs or details of how training for police to enforce the new laws will be handled.
“Operating and administration divisions will soon begin the process of identifying their requirements for the upcoming year for consideration,” the report said.
Another challenge is the anticipated loss of the Policing Effectiveness and Modernization Grant, which translates to $1.1 million in 2019 and another $360,000 in 2020.
Police have also set aside money to pay the long-term costs for renovating police headquarters. Studies have concluded major upgrades are needed for health and safety requirements, as well as operational, but city council has pushed back the start of the work in hopes of finding a city building that could house the headquarters at a cost less than the $18.8 million renovation plan.
“Although the plan as originally presented has not proceeded, the commitment to financing debt for future facilities plans is included,” the report said. “Increased contributions to WSIB are also included given the requirement to increase the future liability account.”
With police seeking a 3.8 per cent budget increase, the Nickel District Conservation Authority seeking a 10 per cent increase to the operating grant and the two per cent increase sought by the Health Unit, combined represents an increase to the 2019 budget of $2.4 million.
