The 2017 operating budget for the North Bay Police Services Board has finally been approved. The police had recommended a 3.9 per cent budget increase originally, but that was voted down by City Council in December. Council asked the service to accept an operating budget of $17,986,598 which would be a 3.6 per cent budget increase instead.
Chief Shawn Devine says the board found $70,000 in savings to lower the increase. Devine says $50,000 came from the Vested Sick account which involves sick days for retired staff that still has to be paid out. He says this year the board won’t be putting money into the account. The other $20,000 was taken from the funds budgeted for fuel. Now that the budget has been approved, it will move forward as part of the overall city operating budget.
