Sarnia police board could appeal budget cut: board chair

Sarnia’s police board could appeal a city council cut to the service’s 2024 budget, the board’s chairperson says.

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“I personally respect the decision of city council certainly,” Paul Wiersma said of the 5-4 motion passed Dec. 5.

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“But being cut back $475,000 will have serious implications on our police reserves for next year,” used as a backstop for unforeseen expenses, and currently expected to start 2024 at $179,000, he said.

“That’s really quite insufficient,” Wiersma said, explaining a single police vehicle, including needed equipment add-ons, is about $100,000, and overtime is unpredictable, as it often manifests in concert with major crime or missing-person investigations.

When the board next meets Dec. 14 “we essentially have two options,” he said.

“One is that we review our budget with the $475,000 cut. The other (is) appeal to the Ontario Civilian Police Commission.”

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The board has an obligation to provide adequate and effective policing under the Police Services Act, he said, noting council’s cut means the risk of a deficit in 2024.

“So if, in the judgment of the board, we feel that we need that additional money … we do have the option of appeal,” he said.

The board’s draft budget asked for an 11.46 per cent budget increaseor an extra $3.43-million, including $450,000 to top up reserves.

Council cannot request specific cuts to the police budget, but can make global cuts.

In the past, Mayor Mike Bradley has said, council has sent police budgets back to the board for further spending reductions before council approval.

But, under new strong mayor powers for the municipalitythe 30-day window to make changes to the draft city budget — introduced Nov. 9 — didn’t allow time for that this year, city clerk Amy Burkhart said.

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“So, in making any amendments to the police budget today, that would be the approved budget for the board,” she told council Dec. 5.

Council also voted to end the 30-day appeal period at the end off that day’s budget meeting.

Dec. 6, Bradley waived his veto rightsmeaning the city’s budget is set.

Unless, perhaps, the police board appeals.

Wiersma, Dec. 6, also responded to critiques from Bradley, who quit his position as police board chair earlier this year over concerns about board “secrecy and spending,” and has been critical of police spending increases.

Bradley, Dec. 5, said it’s tradition for the chief and board chair—for years, Bradley—to be in attendance to answer questions from council.

Later, in an interview, he called Wiersma and Police Chief Derek Davis’ absence Dec. 5 “disrespectful to city council.”

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Wiersma said he wasn’t aware of that tradition and didn’t mean any disrespect.

“If city council invites myself and the chief, we’re happy to attend any city council meeting,” he said.

Board vice chair Kelly Ash attended, but not at the board’s direction, Wiersma said.

“I think she attended because she’s interested and wanted to be there.”

The 2024 police budget, as presented to city council, included funding to add a canine officer and more sergeants, as well as a crime analyst, two additional communication center workers and a civilian corporate communications officer.

As far as a combined 22 per cent police spending increase between 2023 and 2024 — 2023’s was the largest in the city’s history — “none of it is really helping on the front line,” Bradley said. “It’s more into other things they want.”

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Bradley—and others on council—also said there wasn’t enough detailed information about the police budget provided to council.

Bradley said he plans to introduce a motion in 2024 to request more of those details next budget cycle.

“I think that can be a discussion item,” Wiersma said, acknowledging council has the authority to make that request.

But, he noted, the board provided a 20-page budget briefing to consult with “a high level of detail.”

The board also held various community consultation sessions before setting the budget, and invited city council members to meet with the board, ask questions and tour police headquarters, he said.

All but Bradley and Coun. Dave Boushy, who also criticized the police budget Dec. 5 for not detailing overtime expenses, accepted, Wiersma said.

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“Respectfully… Coun. Boushy could have come and asked us about overtime,” he said.

Wiersma added he understands city council has to balance competing spending priorities, and noted a review and needs study of the current police station is expected soon, and will likely prompt discussions about future investment.

“We can only do that kind of planning with the city,” he said. “That’s got to be a cooperative effort.”

The relationship with city council is good, he said.

“We’re happy to be transparent and accountable to the council and to the community,” he said.

-with files from Paul Morden

HOW THEY VOTED

(on Coun. Terry Burrell’s motion to cut $475,000 from the 2024 police services budget)

Yes: Bill Dennis, Terry Burrell, Anne Marie Gillis, Dave Boushy, Mike Bradley

No: George Vandenberg, Brian White, Adam Kilner, Chrissy McRoberts

–Vandenberg and McRoberts also represent council on the police board

BUDGET PROCESS UNDER STRONG MAYOR POWERS

• council has the power to make amendments to the mayor’s budget, after it’s proposed, within a 30-day review period, under the Municipal Act.
• those amendments can be vetoed by the mayor within 10 days.
• and council, with two-thirds — six of the total nine votes — can override that veto within 15 days.

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