City hall’s continued challenges with its new financial software program mean the Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) has been unable to provide monthly operating budget updates to the police board since February.
The financial services department has advised the policing agency that a monthly financial report will not be available “until further notice,” said Police Chief Rick Bourassa during the recent meeting of the Board of Police Commissioners.
However, the agency did have information about its accumulated surplus account, he added, after board members inquired about that in March and whether any surpluses remained with the police service or flowed back into city coffers.
Lisa Renwick, MJPS finance officer, explained that she contacted city finance director Brian Acker recently, who confirmed that the agency has been able to retain its accumulated surpluses since 2001.
A city council motion at that time confirmed that any budget surpluses automatically went into that account. The police service could also take money from that account to cover any deficits.
“Every once in a while, there’s been a specific purchase made from it, but that’s only under board approval,” said Renwick.
Quoting Acker, she noted, “And council could — if they decided at some point in the future — to discontinue the practice, but it would be something we (city administration) recommend against given the mutual benefit.”
The agency is on track financially with its 2023 operating budget even though it can’t provide monthly updates, said Renwick.
However, she still finds it difficult to verify finances accurately because the system is new, while city officials only taught her how to use it in January. She could print off reports in the old system but can’t do that with the new software.
Acker has promised that before the May police board meeting, the city’s finance department will print off templates that could provide some information.
“I don’t see any red flags right now, so I think we’re tracking pretty good,” Renwick added.
“That’s good news that we’re on track,” said board chair Mary Lee Booth.
During a media scrum afterward, Booth said she would like to receive regular budget updates but trusts Renwick to remain aware of the agency’s finances.
“I just want to know, are we on target? That’s the most important question, that we’re not over-expending our revenue,” she added. “… we’re looking forward to receiving them (budget reports) again.”
Renwick has a “keen eye” for financials and has been working in this role for years, said Police Chief Rick Bourassa. While she has not seen any red flags with the budget, the agency would still like to see those numbers in black and white to gauge its spending and properly forecast its year.
“And we’re hoping for next month (for the monthly reports) — we’re hoping,” he added with a chuckle.
The next police board meeting is Thursday, May 11, at 7 p.m. at the public library.
