The Sarnia Police Services Board has unanimously approved a 2021 operating budget of just over $26-million.
The $26,033,481 fiscal plan represents an increase of 3.4 per cent over 2020.
Chief Norm Hansen said as always, the bulk of the budget is wages and benefits -- 87 per cent -- but there are capital projects proposed for 2021 as well.
"Including improvement to the customer service area, we are finishing up a technology piece with computer-aided dispatch [Mobile Data Terminals] MDTs in the cruisers, and the last piece is, of course, the ever present [Next Generation] NG9-1-1 expenditure," said Hansen. "I'd like to point out that if we did not have the NG9-1-1 expenditure in our budget, our budget increase would only be two per cent."
Board member and city councillor Mike Stark complimented the developers of the budget, saying that in the past, he's questioned the development of the budget and the components of it. He noted the NG9-1-1 project is mandated by the province.
"I am particularly pleased that the presentation of this budget effectively, is asking for a two per cent increase, given the fact that 1.4 per cent is mandated by the provincial government," said Stark. "I appreciate the fact that [staff have] been prudent in terms of their request, and I will wholeheartedly support this and carry that message to city council."
Mayor Mike Bradley also praised the work that went into developing the budget, adding that it didn't come together in just one meeting.
"Our budget isn't just today, it's taken a lot more than half an hour to get this budget -- [there have been] many, many meetings by staff and by the board to come to where we are today, so thank you everyone for what you have done."
City council will consider police spending during budget deliberations set for December 1.