The city of Prince Albert has started budget deliberations. (Susan McNeil/paNOW)

By Susan McNeil

Budget 2023

City starts budget talks with police presentation

Nov 16, 2022 | 5:14 PM

The city police are asking for an increase in their budget, but smaller than the overall increase the city is looking at.

Chief Jonathan Bergen told council at the start of 2023 budget deliberations, that while their requested increase is small, over $18 million is needed in total.

“That’s an increase in percentage over last year of 2.99 per cent or a value of 1.67 per cent of mil rate,” said Bergen.

The board will transfer about $200,000 from their operating reserve but, because of a transfer of about $500,000 last year, the fund is now depleted.

They have also budgeted for about one per cent empty positions.

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In total, PAPS maintains 106 sworn officers with 26 positions funded by government (three through SGI).

The Saskatchewan Internet Child Exploitation Unit (Sask ICE) co-ordinator position has rotated out of Prince Albert and now goes to Saskatoon.

Bergen said the majority of the budget goes to wages and benefits and the next largest chunk goes to contractor wages.

For the city overall, council has its work cut out as manager Sherry Person said that to just maintain the same level service as they have now, the budget needs to increase by six per cent.

To expand, the request will be even larger.

“You are seeing a significant increase in the 2023 budget request,” Person told council.

Last year, a wage settlement was reached with the employee union which will result in higher costs along with inflation.

“Given the current economic climate, we are facing a large inflation increase which causes expenses to increase,” she said.

While the costs of the pandemic are shrinking, there still are some to be considered as revenues and expenses continue to be affected.

Last year, council poured over the budget line by looking for savings but this is not something that can continue indefinitely, she said.

“There are three key costs that are out of the city’s control and they have a significant impact before council even considers other items or projects,” Person said.

Utilities, insurance, and especially wages have all increased. Salaries grew by $1,795,063, utilities will rise in price almost $300,000 and insurance increases account for another $100,000.

All told, the costs that can’t be tweaked will rise by $2.1 million.

“Growth and improvement comes at a cost,” Person told council. “We have reached the point where we have cut as much as we can without impacting service levels.”

She pointed out that some changes have been made in how the budget was prepared and this year, more description has been added.

“This year I believe administration and specifically the financial services department have gone above and beyond to provide more descriptive information in regards to revenue sources, grants, and expenditures,” said Person.

“Moving forward, the city’s financial reporting to city council will be more consistent with the budget documents that are being provided This will assist council and members of the public in analyzing and reviewing the progress of the city’s financial status over the year.”

Budget discussions continue for the remainder of the week.

susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com