Terrace Standard Published December 07, 2010 6:00 AM
RCMP costs are going up next year, which means municipalities will need to come up with more tax money to cover their portion. In Terrace’s case, it’ll cost around $125,000 more for its RCMP officers in 2011. That’s because the cost per member increased from $135,400 in 2010 to $140,000 in 2011, Terrace RCMP Inspector Eric Stubbs told city council during a recent budget meeting. “That’s something that I can’t control, this is a set number,” he said of the cost per member that comes out of headquarters. “It’s disappointing, and it’s difficult to absorb.” And this year the city will be billed for 25 officers, while last year it was charged for 24.5 officers. The cost per member covers not only a salary but vehicles, equipment and training.
Stubbs provided a list of reasons why the costs of members went up: there is a proposed increased pension contribution that moves up the current 10.5 per cent to 15.2 per cent, the Canada Pension Plan rate for members will go up around 1.5 per cent, kit and clothing costs are increasing, and patrol cars will now be equipped with rifles, which cost about $1,000 to $1,500 per weapon.But the main driver is closed circuit video equipment, he said, which is a standard for every department in the province.The city pays 70 per cent of the cost of an officer, while the province pays the remaining 30 per cent.
Last year, the cost per member was overestimated and the detachment received a cheque back for $121,000. Stubbs is hoping the cost will be overestimated again this year and the department will get cash back, but said right now the city has to budget for $140,000 per member. “It’s difficult to overcome when you’re trying to hold the line,” he said of council’s wish to keep the departments’ operating budgets the same as last year. In Stubb’s case, he also had to come up with $32,000 in savings relating to municipal employees and support staff. “We just chipped away at it and came up with $31,000,” he said, saying the savings was done through shaving off money in a lot of different areas, namely training, guard salaries, and auxiliary officer expenses “In terms of the service delivery side, it won’t affect us to much,” Stubbs said. “We should be able to make do.” The four-person crime reduction unit, which patrols the downtown area, may move down to three members next year to maintain office staff levels, but Stubbs said it’ll still be effective.Council decided in the summer of 2008 to put money toward the unit in response to complaints from businesses and others about problems downtown. Officers have been patrolling the area since April 2009 and there has been a decrease in crime.
---------------
Don Quixote Note: If the increase per member is $4600 (145,000-135,400) as reported then Vernon's RCMP budgeted costs will increase by (51 x $4600 = $234,600) if the same # of members (51) is budgeted for in 2011 as was in 2010.
Mind you if Terrace Detachment recovered $121,000 for their 24.5 billed officers ($4938/member overbilled in 2010) than Vernon should recover 51/24.5 x $121,000 = $251,877 in 2010 and this money should flow directly into the RCMP Reserve Fund for use in the 2011 budget year.
No comments:
Post a Comment