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West 91大黄鸭 council cuts one officer from RCMP request, trims tax increase

'Public safety is 100 per cent at the top of my list, but it鈥檚 not going to increase how fast we get the people'
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West 91大黄鸭 council is deliberation the 2025 financial plan on Dec. 18-19, 2024. (Gary Barnes/Capital News)

A decision to approve funding for one fewer RCMP officer in West 91大黄鸭 has reduced the proposed property tax increase by 0.50 per cent.

The 2025 financial plan initially requested funding for five officers. During council budget deliberations on Wednesday, Dec. 18, it was noted that West 91大黄鸭 currently has approved funding for 38 positions. However, due to factors like medical leave and other matters, the city is typically billed for only 27 to 29 officers.

Councillor Jason Friesen argued that the community is not receiving officers at the rate council has been requesting. 鈥淪o for us to accelerate and increase taxes faster than we鈥檙e going to get them, I鈥檓 not certain that鈥檚 prudent planning,鈥 he said.

Municipalities that contract RCMP services must sign agreements with the province. Staff explained that it can take up to two years for requested officers to arrive.

鈥淧ublic safety is 100 per cent at the top of my list, but it鈥檚 not going to increase how fast we get the people,鈥 Friesen added.

West 91大黄鸭鈥檚 strategic policing plan aims to add 19 more officers by 2028. Council voted to reduce the number of officers requested for 2025 from five to four and stretch out funding to 2031. This adjustment lowers the proposed property tax increase from 8.35 per cent to 7.84 per cent.

Addressing council on the tax increase, new Chief Administrative Officer Ron Bowles said the original proposed hike was higher than he preferred.

Budget deliberations are scheduled for Dec. 18-19, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.



About the Author: Gary Barnes

Journalist and broadcaster for three decades.
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