When it comes to a budget, it is always best to distinguish between the terms “cost” and “value”.
Yesterday, the Belleville Police Services Board approved the budget for next year, which is worth just over 33.5 million dollars, which would represent an increase of 15%. It will be discussed by council when the city’s overall budget is finalized in February.
Councillor Paul Carr released a statement last night saying he opposed the increase, which he says could raise taxes by 3% or more.
He then called again for a “value for money” review which he said was “long overdue”.
Since next year is an election year, I expect this will get even more attention than usual, which in Belleville is saying a lot.
The cost of policing has been a frequent topic of discussion in the Friendly City for as long as I can remember, leading years ago to a motion to consider requesting a submission from the OPP for a costing proposal. That motion, made before the new Police Headquarters in Belleville opened, was narrowly defeated.
What we sometimes don’t consider is the value we are getting for that investment. It’s the dedication of the officers who put themselves on the line to protect our lives and property. It’s the knowledge of officers like Deputy Chief Sherri Meeks who have served the people of Belleville for their entire careers. It’s the role they play supporting local boards and organizations, and their place in the very social fabric of the city.
Taxpayer money MUST always be respected. I just hope when that conversation happens, we don’t reduce the efforts of the entire Belleville Police Service to a line item on a balance sheet.
I’m Paul Martin and that’s what I see looking Beyond the Headlines.
