The cost of municipal policing in Timmins could increase 4.89 per cent next year.
At today's Timmins Police Service board meeting, deputy chief Henry Dacosta presented the 2023 budget, which was accepted by the board. It will now go to Timmins council for the final approval.
The budget proposed is about $18.1 million, up from $17.2 million in 2022, said Dacosta.
Transitioning to Next-generation 9-1-1, replacing and maintaining CCTV cameras, replacing a few vehicles and increases in fuel costs are some of the highlights of the 2022 budget, he said.
Next-generation 9-1-1 is legislated. It will see dispatchers able to receive videos or photos from people at the scene of an accident, for example, while first responders are dispatched to the scene. To prepare, call centres are readying for the new service by updating their networks.
Earlier this year, Timmins Police also received funding to add enhanced automated license plate readers in all frontline vehicles, which Dacosta said will be completed next year.
For frontline officers, the service received the go-ahead earlier this year to increase its complement from 90 officers to 96.
Finding people to fill those positions could be a challenge.
“Currently our complement is at 90, we’re working to even get to 90. We need some staffing here, we’re about 10 officers that we could hire right now,” said Dacosta after the meeting, adding the goal is to be at full complement by going into the fourth quarter of 2023.
At today's meeting, three new officers were approved to be hired. One is experienced from another service and two cadets will be heading to Ontario Police College. However, the resignations of three constables — Nick Osborne, Stephanie Sparks and Michael Sparks — were also received.
Timmins Police is considering incentives and is exploring what those options are, said Dacosta.
The final approval of the police budget is tied to the City of Timmins' overall budget approval. Council was given a first look at the proposed water and wastewater fee hike last week. Tomorrow (Dec. 15) is the first budget meeting. It starts at 6 p.m. in council chambers at city hall.
