THUNDER BAY - The Thunder Bay Police Service is starting out the 2021 fiscal year in the black due in large part to a revenue from provincial grants.
For the first quarter ending on March 31, the Thunder Bay Police Service is reporting a favourable variance of $479,000. The 2021 net operating budget of $47 million was approved by city council earlier this year.
Provincial grant revenues are projected to be $522,000 favourable due to the recent announcement of an increase of $379,000 to the Prisoner Transportation and Court Security Grant.
There is also $70,000 in additional funding to combat child exploitation online and the Project Prevent Grant revenue is higher than projected due to timing of the initiative.
There are no projected variances in wages, fringe benefits, overtime and WSIB costs due in part to the hiring of four communications call takers, six guns and gangs officers, and the Community Inclusion Team Coordinator.
Unbudgeted costs associated with the reinvestigation into nine sudden deaths involving Indigenous people recommended by Office of the Independent Police Review Board are estimated to result in a $130,000 unfavourable variance. The reinvestigations were slated to be complete by the end of 2020, but that has since been extended to the end of June 2021.
There is also a $57,000 favourable variance due to collective agreement contract increases for policing in the Municipality of Oliver Paipoonge.
The Police Service does have a $170,000 budget for the impacts of COVID-19, which includes purchasing and installing five new purification units, additional cleaning and sanitizing, wages and overtime for staff having to self-isolate, reduced revenue from the closure of certain amenities and events, and cost savings due to less travel and training.
