The Moose Jaw Police Service is already facing pressures with its operational budget even though the first quarter just finished, forcing the organization to take steps to manage its resources better.
The police service (MJPS) presented a budget update during the Board of Police Commissioners’ April meeting, with the document looking at revenues and finances from Jan. 1 to March 31.
The report showed that the agency had budgeted $1,913,507 in revenues and $14,159,410 in expenses this year, with actuals at the three-month mark being $67,907 and $3,570,838, respectively. The overall net expenditure after three months was $3,502,931, with $8,742,972 remaining to be spent.
“We have budgeted extremely tightly for this year and we have experienced some budget pressures already that we’re dealing with,” Police Chief Rick Bourassa said, noting the document contains more subcategories than before because of new accounting software at city hall.
One expense category he singled out was “employee sundry — counselling,” which the agency had not budgeted for this year but had already spent $33,125.
The police service had underbudgeted in that category because it used to be contained in consulting services and was made its own line item, which is why it showed zero, the chief said.
This category incorporates two programs that the organization offers and provides resources to members so they can better address their physical and mental health, Bourassa said. The agency has retained a health-care professional who can help officers navigate the system and point them to the proper support.
“Or, if she believes she is the proper resource, she will do that,” he continued. “So we have a couple different places that we’re engaged in on a largely preventative piece as well. There is (also) education and training coming through.”
The police service offers “a pretty robust program” for its members, which it will continue to offer because it understands how stressful the job is, Bourassa said. Many members are seeking support, which the agency sees as good news.
The budget will look different next year as the MJPS further refines the document and breaks out categories and subcategories, as shown with the line of employee sundry — counselling, he continued. However, the organization will rename that line to psychological supports since it offers more resources than just counselling.
All employees participate in a health-benefits program that covers areas such as counselling and addictions, while this line item covers more preventative measures and helps them navigate the system, Bourassa added. Also, members can use their plans how they want.
The next police board meeting is Thursday, May 2.
