After a lengthy conversation and two recorded votes, over $1.9 million of surplus cash at the Timmins Police Service is being transferred to a reserve.
While all Timmins council members expressed support for the municipal service, some councillors wanted to defer the item until the proposed 2024 police budget is presented. The chief's sudden retirement recently and the Timmins Police Association going public about what it calls a staffing crisis were factors in the discussion.
The $1,986,325 that was the focus of debate at the Nov. 28 Timmins council meeting is an operating surplus from the 2022 fiscal year. The police services board needed council's approval to put the cash into a reserve for future operating costs for technology upgrades and staff retention efforts.
Most of the surplus (80.89 per cent of it) is from unfilled staffing positions and unused money designated for dispute resolution.
The money is being looked at as a way to enhance operations, not maintain operations, Timmins Police Services board chair Kraymr Grenke told council.
If the item wasn't approved, he said the costs would roll into the budget increase for service.
"Whether these funds are today or three weeks from now they are still requirements for us to get to the next level to get boots on the ground. They're all components and parts of getting boots on the ground to attract people to retain people, they are all pieces of the puzzle that we looked at," he said.
The service is working to upgrade its technology.
This means in-car computer terminals for officers, automatic licence plate readers, body cameras and online reporting for non-urgent matters. It comes with a $2.7 million price tag over four years.
The breakdown is $599,000 in 2023-24, $598,000 in 2024-25, $892,700 in 2025-26, and $635,500 in 2026-27.
In 2026, a maximum of $1.9 million for its retention initiative has to be paid out. In March of this year, sworn members of the service were offered a $30,000 one-time payout if they commit to staying for at least three years. That cash is paid out at the end of the term.
Right now, 56 officers are part of that program. Three officers who committed to it have left the municipal service for OPP.
A recruitment incentive was also relaunched and offers up to $30,000 for experienced officers to transfer to Timmins.
Coun. Steve Black, who sits on the police services board, reminded council multiple times that the retention bonus has already been agreed to and is a contractual obligation. Whether part of the surplus request is used for it, or it's built into the budget in coming years, he said "it is an expense that is going to be realized."
Having more police presence across the city is a constant request.
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Equipping cruisers with technology is one of the tools to have more time on the road and be more valuable in the community, said Black.
"You know we had discussions about whether they do their work in the college or in the post office. Here's the opportunity to do their work in their cars and still be visible on the street versus tucked away in any office," said Black.
'We have to be transparent'
Not knowing what the proposed police budget increase is for 2024 was a point of contention.
Having that overall picture is important for Coun. Bill Gvozdanovic.
"I think I think we have to be transparent to the taxpayers," he said.
"When I served before the police always came and they presented their budget to us. OK, and you know ... based on some of these numbers, I'd like to see that again. So I have no issues with the way you want to spend the money. We have to be the stewards of the money for the taxpayers, and this surplus is taxpayers' dollars."
Coun. John Curley also wanted to see the 2024 policing budget before reallocating the surplus.
Curley is a past member of the police services board and earlier this year unsuccessfully asked for a report on the cost of using OPP services on the outskirts of the city.
The police force is approved for 96 officers, but the highest it's ever been is 88.
The complement is currently just over 80, which includes all uniformed staff from cadets to the chief.
In 2023, so far at least eight officers have resigned, and two officers retired — one long-time constable and the chief. Ten cadets have been hired this year and there have been three direct transfers.
The police board, said Curley, has been working to retain and attract officers for a long time. While there's been some success, he said it's tough because everyone is trying to recruit.
"I'm surprised at the chief's resignation or for his retirement followed by a letter from the association making that comment publicly. I start wondering what is actually going on," said Curley, adding it's starting to put doubts out there.
Days before the former chief's sudden retirement, the Timmins Police Association voted in favour of asking the Ontario Civilian Police Commission (OCPC) for help in addressing a staffing crisis and public and officer safety concerns that go with it.
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Coun. Lorne Feldman declared his complete support for the service but wants the recruitment money being used in the most effective and efficient way.
"It just seems to be a fact that it's not getting the right results," he said.
He wants more discussions to explore options and not just spend money for the sake of it.
"When I'm hearing despite these very lucrative and I think attractive incentives of $30,000 ... that sergeants are leaving the Timmins Police Service to become constables at other police services, I think we have to ask the question why and what can we do to improve. And that's why I wanted a chance to defer to explore those options. I want those funds there, but I want them utilized in the best possible manner," he said.
Stop nickel-and-diming policing
Coun. Cory Robin said the city wants more police officers, faster responses and more deterrents in the community.
He noted the large increase in calls for service and said that the police budget is being politicized.
"We've been nickel and diming the police services when people are getting broken into, they dial 911 and they get a response that says this is not an emergency call, we'll get there when we get there which is just simply unacceptable. So this is a strong step in the right direction," said Robin.
There were no issues for Coun. Rock Whissell to approve the surplus transfer.
"This is money that they did not spend because of the conditions and the circumstances that did happen throughout the year," he said.
There were two recorded votes on the item.
A motion to defer it until the 2024 police budget was received was defeated 4-3.
Black, Robin, Whissell and Mayor Michelle Boileau were not in favour of deferring the item. Councillors Curley, Feldman and Gvozdanovic voted in favour of deferring.
The vote to approve the transfer was approved 5-2.
Those in favour were Black, Feldman, Robin, Whissell and Boileau. Councillors Curley and Gvozdanovic were opposed.
Councillors Andrew Marks and Kristin Murray were not at the meeting.
