Hamilton police budget figures revised
Proposed increase from last year lower, but overall spend higher due to omission of some costs
The hike to Hamilton’s proposed police budget has been revised to account for an initial omission of certain reported costs.
This realization, with talks well underway, narrows the gulf between last year’s budget and this year’s increased spending plan.
So instead of the 10.24 per cent or $19.8-million hike that city politicians discussed during last week’s deliberations, it’s actually an 8.41 per cent or $16.6-million increase.
The omission was discovered amid Coun. Cameron Kroetsch’s call to send the proposed police budget back to its governing board to search for savings.
During that debate, “a question arose about the total increase to the cost of policing” with specific reference to the 10.24 per cent figure, police spokesperson Jackie Penman told the Spectator.
Chief Frank Bergen “immediately” let the police board and city manager Marnie Cluckie know the figure was incorrect because certain mandated costs under the Police Services Act (PSA) in 2023 hadn’t been included.
In particular, the oversight dealt with roughly $4.5 million in 2023 capital projects and $1.4 million in 2024 for portable radios.
As a result, the overall tally is $214.8 million including the omitted items, rather than $213.4 million.
But city finance boss Mike Zegarac emphasized the tweaks “do not change” the municipal tax levy and $2.4-billion capital and operating budget.
Those items weren’t included in the police budget report, but were tallied in accompanying appendices and captured in the city’s overall budget, Zegarac noted.
This confusion can be avoided next budget season, Coun. JohnPaul Danko said.
“We all start with a gross number: this is the total police budget — capital, operating, statutory requirements — everything,” said Danko, who’s budget chair.
Some “sensitivity” over total policing costs is at play, he suggested. “What are police actually asking for … becomes a very politicized item.”
Police spending, which represents the largest line item on residential tax bills, has been a contentious issue in recent years with persistent calls from advocates to reallocate funds to social, health and housing services.
Last week, Kroetsch’s motion to further explore savings was passed on a 12-3 vote. In response, the police board has scheduled a special meeting on Tuesday to further review the budget.
Meanwhile, councillors have pitched ways to reduce a potential 7.9 per cent overall municipal hike. Staff are expected to report back on the various measures on Monday, which is also when council aims to approve the final budget.