MOOSE JAW — The Moose Jaw Police Service requires almost $1,500 more to purchase new equipment, as the cost for the two items increased more than anticipated.
The agency has been working over the past several years to update obsolete equipment, including a new multi-function printer and biometric sensors for the detention area to enhance the safety of people in custody, a report presented during the Aug. 20 Board of Police Commissioners’ meeting said.
The police service estimated the cost of these items in mid-2024 while preparing the 2025 equipment reserve budget, and senior leadership developed the budget for the equipment — $10,000 and $14,000, respectively — based on their value at that time, the report continued.
However, upon purchasing the items this year, the agency discovered that both pieces had increased in cost, with the printer $1,367.02 more than budgeted and the sensors $129.77 more than expected, totalling $1,496.79, the document noted.
During the meeting, the police service asked the board to approve the overages of the multi-function printer and the biometric sensors, with commissioners unanimously approving the request.
“Going back about a year, (I’m) pleasantly surprised that that’s all the increases that have gone up,” said Mayor James Murdock, board chairman.
According to previous information, the MJPS plans to spend more than $2.4 million during the next five years through its equipment reserve budget, which includes over $720,000 for smaller items like computers.
The 2025-29 equipment reserve budget is based on the depreciation of inventory items, with the organization funding amortized amounts annually as an operating expense.
The budget lists equipment that is fully amortized, due for replacement or new to inventory this year. The organization gives each item a replacement value and a lifespan value, while depreciation is the replacement value divided by the lifespan value.
The board previously heard that the police service requires $203,999 for small equipment purchases this year, while it requires $180,413 next year, $103,633 in 2027, $97,489 in 2028 and $135,863 in 2029, for a total of $721,397.
The amount of money available from depreciation is $631,747, while $89,650 will come from the control account, which combines to form the five-year total.
Some small items the agency plans to purchase this year include laptops, desktop computers, hand-held radar units, body armour, a TV, iPads, mountain bikes, mobile radar units, traffic direction equipment for crashes, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), tactical equipment, handguns and red-dot gunsights.
Furthermore, the agency plans to spend $92,000 this year to purchase four major items, including a biometric sensor for $14,000, a K-9 dog for $17,000, six carbines for $21,000 and an unmarked patrol vehicle for $40,000.
Meanwhile, the police service plans to spend $426,100 next year on 12 items, such as traffic radar units, radio systems, workstations, software and vehicles.
In 2027, the organization plans to spend $350,000 on five items, $352,748 on 10 items in 2028 and $465,000 on five items in 2029.
Therefore, the total amount the police service requires for minor and major equipment purchases is $295,999 this year, $606,513 next year, $453,633 in 2027, $450,237 in 2028 and $600,863 in 2029, for a total of $2,407,245.
The organization expects to have $2,277,652 available from depreciation during that period, with $129,593 to come from the control account to top up the purchase requirements.
The next police board meeting is Wednesday, Sept. 17.
