Proposed police budget adds $20 to average tax bill

The Ottawa Police Services Board tabled a net operating budget of $388.7 million Wednesday morning, up $16.3 million from 2024.

The draft police budget anticipatesa rise in revenue for the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) next year, with more funding expected from the federal and provincial governments.

"I believe that we have a budget that is a good service-level budget for the community," said OPSChief Eric Stubbs in response to a question from a board member.

"Our service level is going to increase, our connection with the community is going to increase."

The draft budget is based on a 2.9 per cent increase in tax revenues, plus an expected assessment growth of 1.5 per cent.

For the average urban household in Ottawa, the resulting tax increase will equal about $20, for a total of $717.

The draft gross operating budget, which accounts for non-city tax revenues such as funding from other levels of government, totals$447.5 million.

50 new positions

In 2025, OPSwill create 50 new positions through the municipal tax base, including 28 civilian and 22 sworn positions. That's over and above the hiring that was already planned, bringing the total number of newly sworn officersnext year to 145.

The budget also includes $9 million in efficiencies, which OPS said will be paid for mainly by reducing its pay-as-you-go capital contributions.

There are other savings: The city has agreed to forgo a $6-million payment for the land at 3505 Prince of Wales Dr.where the OPS isbuilding its new south-end station, and the planned rollout of body cameras will be delayed until 2026 at the earliest, OPS added.

Federal funding will help the OPS pay for several new initiatives, including the development of a distinct parliamentary precinct unit and a new mounted unit to help police demonstrations.

Overtime a key concern

More than 80 per cent of the 2025 police budget is allocated to compensation, including overtime pay.

Stubbs said the force will focus on reducing its reliance on overtime, even as the demand for service growswith Ottawa'spopulation.

"The financial implications of our dependence on overtime are significant. The personal impact on our members is substantial and the long-term reliance on overtime has resulted in the decline of service levels that you see here," he said.

OPS data reported at the meeting suggests crime in Ottawa rose by 12 per cent between 2019 and 2023.

The draft budget will be considered at the Nov. 25 police board meeting. It will go to city council on Dec. 11, the same day as the main city budget.