The city will be paying about $188,000 more for policing in 2022 than it did this year.
The police budget is expected to be $8,691,509, while the 2021 figure was $8,503,117.
That is an estimate at this point. Some factors could change that figure.
During a recent operating budget meeting, Mayor Steve Clarke noted the cost of having Ontario Provincial Police services in Orillia are the “single largest expense” for the city.
The budget includes a projected $31,250 loss in local and provincial priorities funding. However, staff recently learned a new call for applications for those grants will be going out, and the Orillia Police Services Board will schedule a meeting to review a grant application.
There are some minor savings thanks to the removal of the previous surveillance cameras. That system was decommissioned in April, resulting in a savings of $2,400. It was replaced with the Security Camera Registry and Mapping program.
Insp. Coyer Yateman, Orillia OPP detachment commander, said foot patrols in the downtown core were up 50 per cent in 2020-21. Despite that, there continue to be calls for more, particularly from the Downtown Orillia Management Board (DOMB).
Clarke said there have been discussions with the board about the level of foot patrols.
“If the DOMB is going to insist that we go ahead with foot patrols,” he said, it should prepare a comprehensive report that focuses on costing and partnership opportunities.
“It will not be an insignificant cost,” he said, suggesting one officer on foot patrol for 40 hours per week would come with a price tag of between $160,000 and $180,000.
Coun. Ralph Cipolla asked whether the OPP was looking to set up a satellite office downtown — something he has been hoping for since the detachment moved to west Orillia.
“People keep walking the streets, looking for police help,” he said.
Kristine Preston, executive director of the police services board, said it would make more sense to have that discussion when the new board composition comes into effect.
“We really need to consider having some kind of satellite office in the downtown. Please, give it some serious thought,” Cipolla said.
The city’s capital budget deliberations are set to take place today and Wednesday, with the budget expected to be ratified during a special council meeting Dec. 6.
