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Victoria Police budget decisions delayed

A long committee of the whole meeting prompted further investigation into report findings
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Councillors opted to further discuss police budget options at the next committee of the whole meeting on March 28. (Nicole Cresceniz/News Staff)

After over two hours of deliberation, Victoria City council referred further discussion into the Victoria Police Department’s budget for two weeks.

At a committee of the whole meeting on Thursday, Chief. Const Del Manak presented budgeting options at council’s request in a 50-page document.

ALSO READ: Six new police officers add $300,000 to Victoria’s 2019 budget

The different options came forward after council asked the VicPD to present two different budgets: the first accounting for if the city absorbs the Employer Health Tax (EHT), totalling $690,000, while the second includes that cost as part of the police budget.

Cost reduction strategies were outlined, including less funding towards DNA analysis (due to lower use requirements), cancelling the CCTV maintenance contract, and renegotiating land line and mobility contracts.

ALSO READ: Nine jobs at the Victoria Police Department at risk after budget decision

If the EHT is assigned to the police department, up to nine civilian positions would have to be dissolved.

After two hours of discussion, Coun. Ben Isitt put forward a two-page motion for discussion.

Due to scheduling conflicts, the motion was referred to next week’s Committee of the Whole meeting on March 28.

nicole.crescenzi@vicnews.com


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