Proposed 2010 police budget presented to City Council

The Edmonton Police Commission recommended a net operating budget of $238.6 million in 2010 to maintain existing police service levels in Edmonton. This proposal would maintain the existing staffing levels, programs and police services.

 

In June 2009, the Edmonton Police Service, along with other city departments, was asked to prepare a budget based on a target tax levy increase of 3 per cent.

 

“We have gone through the policing budget line-by-line and made efforts to achieve this target,” said Vice Chair Dunster.

 

However, the impact of meeting the City’s budget target would result in a $13 million shortfall or the equivalent of a reduction in 100 non-sworn/sworn positions from the Edmonton Police Service. This could have further repercussions and negatively affect up to 105 provincially-funded positions.

 

“We have a contractual obligation with the province to maintain staffing levels at a certain threshold in order to continue receiving provincial funding; if we drop below that threshold, we risk losing 70 positions already given to us. In addition, we could lose 35 more the province is expected to announce in 2010,” clarified Vice Chair Dunster.

 

To help offset the costs to maintain existing police services, the EPS identified $1.9 million in non-personnel costs that would be cut from within the operating budget.

 

“This is the first of many budget discussions with City Council. The projected staff reductions were provided because we were asked to determine the impact of meeting the City’s budget target for 2010,” said Chief Mike Boyd. “By no means does anyone want to see a reduction in staff or service levels.”

 

Overall, 216 positions have been added to the Edmonton Police Service between 2007 and 2009 in response to increased workload and demand for police services.

The Commission asked that City Council increase funding to the Edmonton Police Service in 2010 by 9.9 per cent to maintain existing service levels and keep all positions fully-funded.