THUNDER BAY – A decision to potentially increase the municipal tax levy will be re-examined near the conclusion of the 2024 budget process.
Council began the formal process on Jan. 30 by hearing from outside and local boards, who together are asking for $1.6 million. That number excludes Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) and the Thunder Bay Police Services Board (TBPSB).
There was also a $2.3 million increase request from TBPS as well as a $200,000 increase request from TBPSB.
If TBPS is approved for the $2.3 million increase, it would bring their budget up to $54.5 million.
Following the presentation by TBPS, staff highlighted a recommendation to increase the tax-supported operating budget by $250,000 for expenditures, which would result in an increase to the municipal tax levy of 0.11 per cent.
At-large Coun. Shelby Ch’ng put forward a motion to delay any decision until Feb. 7, which passed.
Budget chair Mark Bentz said the police service is trying to act on its one mandate while also addressing potential investments in crime prevention and mental health supports.
“For the most part, the city has a small role to play in social services,” Bentz said.
“It’s a hard thing for them to address because they're responding and reacting to what's happening, while politicians should be thinking about how much investment is going to go into these efforts. Funding the police is a quick fix. Funding upfront services takes longer, but you get many times the return on your investment.
"People have a better quality of life. They don't fall into poverty, crime, and drugs. Would we like to see the police services not coming in with such high budget asks? Yes, but that would mean we would have less crime too," he said.
The budget is scheduled to be ratified on Monday, Feb. 12.
