Budget discussions commenced in the Region of Waterloo on Wednesday, with a significant portion of the discourse dedicated to the police budget. The Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) has manifested intentions to request a $16.3 million budget increase for the year 2024, a rise that would escalate their annual budget to a staggering $230 million.
In a police board meeting held Wednesday morning, Chief Mark Crowell asserted that the augmented budget would enable the hiring of an additional 18 officers, accommodate inflation, and finance technological advancements. Crowell affirmed the belief that this increment could help achieve a sustainable police workforce that will efficiently serve the community and cope with issues such as retirements, resignations and attrition.
The costs associated with the additional officers would add just over $13 million to the budget, in turn causing a $41 tax increase for average homeowners. The police budget accounts for approximately 31 per cent of the total regional tax bill, as observed in the preceding year, 2023.
On the same day, following the police board conference, the Region of Waterloo council convened to scrutinize their own 2024 budget. This meeting, being the second of its kind, centered on promoting community growth while being mindful of the climate.
The council has laid out plans for a projected $513.1 million operating budget which might induce a 7.3 per cent property tax increase, allowing for a $43.3 million budget increment. This budget surge includes $6.7 million exclusively for improved services such as the community para medicine program, additional transit services, increased service hours for Mobility Plus, airport resources for current and potential expansion, increased maintenance and repair services for Waterloo Region housing units, and improvements for water and wastewater services.
Policing costs have been excluded from the region’s budget proposal. Councillor Rob Deutschmann voiced uncertainty regarding making budget decisions when they lack clarity about this significant one-third of the total budget: the police budget.
Regional staff have indicated that if both the police and regional budgets are approved as currently drafted, the average resident could face a tax increase of approximately 6.7 per cent.
The expected date for presenting the police budget to the council is November 22, while the final comprehensive budget is slated for presentation on December 13.
The region is presently collecting public opinions on the proposed budget, with the next scheduled public session on November 1. The police, too, have organized public consultation meetings on October 26 and November 6.
