The City of Sarnia has tallied up the costs incurred from assisting in the emergency response to Sunday's unsanctioned Port Huron Float Down.
Communications Coordinator Katarina Ovens says the total cost is $8,181.77.
Ovens says that includes overtime costs and additional expenses directly incurred by each department.
Here is the breakdown:
- Sarnia Police Service = $3,405.92
- Sarnia Transit = $1,977.97 (The cost to provide ten buses, drivers, and supervisory staff to make a total of 19 trips to the U.S. side of the Blue Water Bridge.)
- Sarnia Public Works Department = $712.40 (Staff were involved in the closure of streets for the purpose of convening U.S. citizens.)
- Sarnia Fire Rescue Services = $1,435.88 (The fire department had a marine vessel on the water as well as a fire apparatus, rescue truck and crew members assisting on land. Firefighters also removed debris from the water once participants were safe.)
- Sarnia Parks and Recreation Department = $649.60 (Staff cleaned up garbage from the Canadian shore.)
Ovens says the costs will directly impact the operating budgets for each department.
Meanwhile, some of the Float Down participants are trying to crowdfund to repay Sarnia for the costs incurred setting up a GoFundMe account.
https://www.gofundme.com/2z4bbf5t
Those who took part in Sunday's event are each being asked to donate $5.