Councillors meet to discuss the 2012 budget at City Hall

 

City Councillors may be off for the holidays but they sure have a lot of reading to do.  They have the 2012 Operating Budget to ponder as we look at a proposed 3.9% mill rate increase in Moose Jaw.

Police Chief Dale Larsen made his presentation requesting a 5.8% increase to their budget.  If approved, it would bring their funding up to a net operating budget of $7.4 million.

"The increase is primarily for labour costs, 92% of that." explained Larsen. "We're looking to enhance some of our administrative assistant numbers in relation to taking duties away from police officers that are currently doing duties such as court related disclosure."

That work can take an officer away from policing and traps them behind a desk.  Larsen says their focus in 2012 will be working on becoming more efficient and making sure police are policing the community.

Council will continue budget talks in the new year.


Chief Larsen and Chris Rasmussen discuss the 2012 budget