Halifax budget process begins with fire and police departments

CITYnews halifax / By Mark Hodgins

The fire and police departments are first up as Halifax’s budget process ramps up.

Halifax’s budget committee will hear from municipal business units on the proposals over the next two weeks. That begins on Feb. 12, as councillors will hear from Community Safety, Halifax Fire, Halifax Regional Police, and the HRM RCMP.

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Halifax Fire is proposing a $97 million blueprint, up $4.8 million from last year, with most of the increase going toward collective agreements and other compensation adjustments.

HRP is responsible for policing Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford, and all
communities extending from Bedford to Sambro Loop. It’s proposed budget comes in at just over $101 million, up 3.3 per cent from last year.

In a report, the force says that the proposed budget increases are needed to meet the “fixed costs” such as salaries, benefits, equipment, services and supplies.

“These fixed costs must be met through contractual obligations, and to maintain policing operations and administration,” the report reads.

HRP is not asking for more police officer positions but instead hoping to add civilian officers to its ranks.

Costs also include services for case workers, support manager, forensic media specialist, an auditor, a quartermaster and an administrative assistant. These positions are “necessary” said the force to help grow the institution for the future.

Specifically, the report highlights the need for the victim services case worker to help officials tackle the “growing” domestic violence crisis in the city and across the province.

The proposed budget for the RCMP in Halifax, meanwhile, is estimated at $31 million.

Councillors will hear from other business units like Transit, Public Works, and Parks and Rec over the coming weeks. Final budget approval will come on April 8.