FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, November 12, 2015 3:00pm
(Ottawa) – Today, the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) tabled the 2016 Draft Operating and Capital Budgets with the Ottawa Police Services Board and Ottawa City Council.
“The budget maintains the policing service residents expect and is in line with the Board’s direction regarding a tax increase,” said Ottawa Police Services Board Chair Eli El-Chantiry.
The projected 2016 net operating budget for the OPS will be $277.1 million on a gross operating budget of $308.1 million with a police tax rate increase of 1.75%.
This is a net incremental operating budget increase of $7.2 million over 2015. With expected assessment growth and other adjustments estimated at $1.3 million, the resulting net increase to the police tax rate is $11 per year for the average residence.
The 2016 Ottawa Police capital budget totals $16.4 million and is funded primarily by pay-as-you-go sources.
Budget Priorities
The budget includes the addition of 25 new sworn members, the $1.3 million cost of which is offset by $2 million in forecasted efficiencies.
Other important priorities included in the 2016 budget are the expansion of employee wellness programs, project work aimed at efficiencies, employee training, and the introduction of new digital and online capabilities within the OPS.
Expenditure Reductions and Efficiencies
In addition to the forecasted $2 million in efficiencies, other expenditure reductions and efficiencies were identified to ensure the budget target of 1.75% was met. They include:
- A one-time withdrawal of $1 million from the General Capital Reserve Fund to finance transformational projects; and,
- A one year delay in the Facilities Strategic Plan.
Transformational projects planned for 2016 include the continuation of the Service Initiative, a program assigned with delivering ongoing and future cost savings for the Service.
“This Budget will allow the Ottawa Police to maintain service and will provide us with the policing tools we need to ensure we can meet expectations of citizens while ensuring our deployment model is efficient and effective,” said Ottawa Police Chief Charles Bordeleau.
The Budget forecasts have been developed to balance future budget constraints while addressing increasing and future service requirements associated with population growth, emerging crime trends, operational readiness and the increasing complexity of policing.
The forecasts include efficiency and cost-saving targets for the next three years and a forecast for future sworn officer requirements.
Have your say!
The Ottawa Police Service wants to hear from residents and business about their thoughts on the 2016 Budget.
Members of the public can comment on the 2016 Draft Budget at the beginning of the regular meeting of the Ottawa Police Services Board on November 30, 2015, at 5 p.m. in the Champlain Room, City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue, 2nd floor. The Ottawa Police 2016 Budget is scheduled for approval by the Board on November 30 and by City Council on December 9.
A complete copy of the Ottawa Police Service 2016 Draft Operating and Capital Budgets is available for viewing or downloading on ottawapolice.ca. As well, it can be requested through info@ottawapolice.ca.
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