"The 2011 Budget of $130,752,220 represents a 4.97% or $6.1 million increase over the 2010 Budget. As you are aware, the primary budget pressures for 2011 include salary and benefits enhancements related to the settlement of the collective bargaining process ($3.5 Million, or 2 84%), the OMERS 1% pension contribution rate increase ($1.2 Million, or 0.99%), and recommended staffing increases resulting from the Chief's restructuring review of the organization ($0.7 Million, or 0.57%), and mcreases in other expenditures such as fuel and insurance ($0 7 Million, or 0.57%)....
From the Board's point of view, the cost of policing is an ongoing issue, not an issue that is dealt with just once a year. Accordingly, the Board has a strong commitment to ensuring the delivery of sustainable police budgets. This commitment is demonstrated by the consistency of the Police levy as a percentage of the total City budget over the past eight years. In 2003, the Police levy was 18.54% of the total City levy while comparatively, in 2010, the Police levy represented 18.51% of the total City levy. Over the period of 2003 to 2010, the Police levy ranged between 18.43% and 18.65% of the total City levy This consistency speaks to the importance that the Board, the Chief, and staff, place on delivering fiscally responsible budgets....
As you know, the budget process is outlined in section 39 of the Police Services Act. Upon reviewing the budget estimates, the municipal council shall establish the overall budget and council is not bound to adopt the estimates submitted by the Board [section 39(3)]. However, if the Board is not satisfied that the budget established for it by council is sufficient to maintain an adequate number of police officers or other employees of the police service or to provide the police service with adequate equipment and facilities, the board may request that the Ontario Civilian Police Commission (O.C.P.C) determine the question after a hearing [section 39(5)] Theÿ Hamilton,Police Services Board is committed to the maintenance of public safety through the delivery of the highest quality of policing services while maintaining financial stability and accountability."
- From
April 12, 2011 memo from Nancy DiGregorio, HPSB Chair to City Clerk Rose Caterini re: 2011 Police Budget [PDF]