Thunder Bay police budget increases $1.2M to cover wages

Thunder Bay's police chief presented his 2016 operational budget Tuesday, asking for an increase of more than $1.2 million overlast year's budget.

"It's all wage-driven 92 per centof our budget is wages," said Chief J. P. Levesque.

The police services board and the police association recently agreed to a new five-year contract.

The deal gives 305 officers and civilian staff an annual salary increase of 2.13 per cent, said board chair Jackie Dojack.

"We tended to use a problem solving approach, 'okay, how can we do what's best for the service, within the budget restraints that we have," said Dojack.

Most of the voting members are happy with the new agreement, said Robert Miller, the bargaining chair for the Thunder Bay police association.

But, as with any negotiation, police did make some concessions, he said.

"There are some take-backs in relation to our annual leave, how we accumulate it, and some other situations in other leaves. So that will provide for a savings for the police services board," said Miller, adding it will also take rookie officers longer to reach first-class standing.

The new collective agreement between the police association and the board lasts until December 31, 2019.

The combination of retroactive pay for 2015, and projected salary increases for this year account for the budget increase of 3.2 per cent, Levesque said.

"We did not increase the overtime budget or the legal budget," he said, adding there were some savings this year.

"We've managed to save some money in different areas, including our IT section. That tends to be cyclical though. We're on a schedule for certain equipment ... we're just in a down period right now, which is a good thing, because we're seeing a large capital outlay for a new radio system," said Levesque.

It's anticipated the upgrade to the radio system will take three years, with $1 million to be spent on the project during 2016.

The budget was accepted by the police services board, but still requires the approval of Thunder Bay city council.

Levesque expects to present the budget to council in February.