While constructing a new multi-million-dollar headquarters is still decades away, the Moose Jaw Police Service has kick-started the process of saving $1 million annually so it can fund the project.
The police service (MJPS) presented its 2024-28 capital budget during the Nov. 9 Board of Police Commissioners’ meeting. The total amount the agency is requesting during those five years is $4.45 million, including $80,000 for 2024.
The board agreed in 2019 to set the base capital funding at $65,000 and increase it by $2,500 each year in subsequent years to ensure the MJPS had enough funding to meet ongoing physical building demands, a board report explained.
That base funding starts at $80,000 beginning next year and increases by $5,000 each year through to 2028, which is expected to help the agency address anticipated and unanticipated infrastructure demands with its deteriorating 38-year-old headquarters, the report continued.
This base amount includes a contribution of $30,000 to fund an upcoming — and long outstanding — elevator replacement project, while $50,000 will support general building upkeep and maintenance.
To prepare for a new headquarters, the police service is projecting extra capital funding requests of $1 million annually beginning in 2025, the report added. This means its total capital request in 2025 would be $1,085,000; $1,090,000 in 2026; $1,095,000 in 2027; and $1.1 million in 2028.
Police Chief Rick Bourassa told the board that the agency should have enough money in “a couple of years” to replace the elevator fully. While the machine works, the organization is having trouble finding replacement parts.
Meanwhile, he noted that the annual $5,000 increase is necessary because of inflation and higher costs to maintain the building. Also, the “surprising” annual requests of $1 million are due to the expected “nature of construction” with building a new headquarters.
As for capital repairs in 2022 and 2023, Bourassa said the MJPS performed exterior masonry work while it cost-shared with city hall the replacement of air conditioning since an “abrupt repair” was required. The agency also replaced its radio tower and performed other minor renovations.
Deputy Chief Rick Johns confirmed to Commissioner Doug Blanc that the capital account was not a “slush fund,” and the organization has to report all expenses to the City of Moose Jaw.
Board chairwoman Mary Lee Booth commented on the $1 million yearly request, saying the police service has grown over the years in the number of officers and programs it has. This has forced the agency to lease space across the street from its Fairford Street headquarters.
Meanwhile, she noted that provincial legislation requires the municipality to provide an adequate venue in which the agency can operate.
“I think this is just a real statement that we are seeing a growing need that the building is aging and outgrown,” Booth said. “… we need to be forward-thinking.”
Commissioner Clive Tolley thought the board needed to have a proper assessment conducted on the building, a potential project budget, and a plan to start saving immediately. He was thankful that the organization was still functioning relatively well in its current venue and its leased accommodations.
“… city council is faced with more capital projects than we can afford to fund, so I’m happy to see that we’re not putting any capital into a fund this year … but it’s something we need to look at,” he added.
“We need to look at it in a proper planning perspective. What are we going to need? What is it going to cost? And how are we going to get there?”
The next police board meeting is Thursday, Dec. 14, at 2 p.m.
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