Town Council/Police

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Saugeen Shores Police Service budget is looking at a possible increase for 2011 of 5.9 per cent.

Saugeen Shores' Chief of Police, Dan Rivett, says that, when it comes to Police Services, salaries and benefits take up most of the budget.

"Of the total budget we have to work with," explained Rivett at the recent budget talks, "90 per cent is taken up with salaries and benefits which means we only have 10 per cent to cover everything else." 

Total expenditures for 2011 have been set at $3,161,650.  Salaries for 2011 have been budgeted at $2,029,094 and benefits at more than $560,000, which are negotiated through the Police Board.

Revenues from sources such as the RIDE grant, bicycle auction, wage recoveries, and the Community Police Grant, among others will total $175,445. 

In order to keep costs down, some areas have been slated for reductions.  "We have cut overtime wages by $5,000, special events overtime by $5,000, training by approximately $8,000 and we are still short by $20,000 in the 2011 budget," said Rivett.

Rivett went on to explain to Council that the reductions in the various areas will also mean a reduction in service.  "We have enough to provide the same level of service for spring, fall and winter, but we won't be able to cover what we consider trouble areas in the summer, such as Fairy Lake, the Tourist Camps and Harbour Street."

The Chief also explained that there are a lot of changes every year to the Criminal Code which is mandated by the Province and, with a reduction in training dollars, it will  "... mean that we will have officers who are less trained."

"Are you saying that, if you had that $20,000 then service would remain the same?" asked Deputy Mayor Luke Charbonneau?  "Yes, that's what I'm saying," replied Rivett.

"Well," said Charbonneau, "I recommend that since we have eliminated $20,000 being spent on council laptops, we transfer that money to the Police Services.  This is one of our core services and, at the very least, we should be offering a consistent level of service.  We are not talking here about increasing service but simply maintaining it at the present level."

Although the transfer was put to a vote, Charbonneau's motion was voted down.

Councilor Diane Huber asked if the Police Service was doing its part in clamping down on cell-phone use by drivers and in speeding fines.  Rivett explained that fines do not stay in the community.  "Bruce County gave our administration away to Grey County," he explained, "and we only get about $600 a year back."

"I know the final decision hasn't been made yet," said Rivett.  "l will have to look at my numbers again and see what levels of service will have to be cut.

Budget presentations will be held again on March 14.

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Thursday, February 10, 2011