The resignation of two probationary constables and reduction in electrical costs means the Moose Jaw Police Service will have slightly lower expenses in its 2021 operating budget.
The Board of Police Commissioners met on Dec. 18 for a special meeting to approve an amended operating budget for the police force. The original budget had operating expenses of $12,183,194, but those expenses have decreased slightly to $12,157,716 due to a reduction of $25,478.
There are two areas responsible for the reduction in expenses. They include a provincial rebate in electrical costs of $6,000 and a reduction in salaries and benefits of $19,478 due to the resignation of two probationary constables and their replacement with two training constables.
The staffing complement for the police service remains at 59 officers.
The Moose Jaw Police Service’s operating expenses in 2021 will increase by $650,554 from this year or 5.65 per cent. Its revenues are projected to be $1,488,309 for next year, which is an increase of $110,710 from this year or 8.04 per cent.
Meanwhile, its net operating budget is expected to increase by $539,844 next year to $10,669,407, or 5.33 per cent. This means taxpayers are subsiding the Moose Jaw Police Service to the tune of $9,181,098 after revenues are subtracted.
With the reduction in expenses, a tax increase of 1.1 per cent instead of 1.18 per cent will be required to fund this budget.
The organization will resubmit its budget to city hall so city council can discuss and potentially approve it during the Dec. 21 budget meeting.
“This (the resignations) is not reflective of the candidates’ character … ,” said board chair Mayor Fraser Tolmie. “Obviously, they were high-quality people, but they’ve obviously met a difficulty and that’s an unfortunate shame and we would wish them all the best.”
Commissioner Mary Lee Booth agreed with Tolmie’s comments about the resignation of the recruits.
“On the other hand, I really do appreciate that the bar is high in terms of standards of practices for the people we hire,” she added. “On that basis, it’s a good thing … .”
These two recruits were unable to achieve the technical skills required of them to handle and use firearms, which is a standard that must be maintained, police Chief Rick Bourassa explained. Their resignations are unfortunate, but such events do happen.
The next Board of Police Commissioners’ meeting is Jan. 12.
