JASON -SETNYK
Cornwall -Police -Service -Chief -Shawna -Spowart spoke with residents at -Cornwall’s -Resident -Café at the -Benson -Centre on -December 11, fielding questions about why the police portion of the draft 2026 budget is rising faster than the city’s -four-per-cent levy target for municipal services.
Spowart said the proposed police levy increase is now 9.55 percent, down from 9.87 percent after updated numbers were added, including a -higher-than-expected provincial court security grant and an anticipated drop in benefit costs. She said efficiencies were found and that the request was closer to 14 percent when budgeting began.
Asked why the increase remains near 10 percent, -Spowart said salaries and benefits make up 87 percent of the budget. She said a compounded -six-per-cent increase is being applied in 2026 because the 2025 budget was passed before the collective agreement was finalized. She also pointed to new provincial requirements for technology, safety equipment-including carbine rifles-and mandatory training, including a -ministry-mandated -three-day program delivered through -Wilfrid -Laurier -University.
Spowart said overtime costs in 2025 were significant, but the service is now fully staffed. The 2026 request includes hiring one additional police officer and two community safety officers to respond to -lower-priority calls, so sworn officers can focus on -higher-risk incidents. She said the added roles should also increase visibility, a -crime-prevention tactic residents request.
On -longer-term planning, -Spowart said the current police facility is inadequate, and a new build is necessary. She warned delays could cost more as the service leases space to fill gaps, citing prisoner holding cells two floors from where prisoners are monitored, cramped office space, and a dispatch centre that needs room to grow.
She noted dispatch supports -Cornwall -Fire, several municipalities, and police. Training space is also being leased at the -DEV -Centre.
L’article Police -Chief explains 9.55 % increase est apparu en premier sur Cornwall Seaway News.
