MOOSE JAW — The Moose Jaw Police Service and the Moose Jaw Public Library had their 2025 budgets approved by city council during a recent budget discussion meeting.
During that meeting, council unanimously accepted the police service’s budget, which asked for operating funding of $12,830,258 — an increase of $584,355 or 4.77 per cent over last year — and capital funding of $234,431, plus $330,000 from the automated speed enforcement fund for traffic safety initiatives.
The agency’s budget request added 1.51 per cent to the mill rate hike, which is 5.17 per cent this year.
Furthermore, council unanimously accepted the library’s operating budget request of $1,327,858 — including the Palliser Regional Library levy — which is an increase of $38,398 over last year. This extra funding will cover higher wages and library acquisitions, higher telephone costs, and insurance for the library's physical collection.
Police presentation
Acting Chief Rick Johns was present to answer council’s questions, of which council had two.
One pertained to legal fees and why that category increased to $172,000 this year over $160,000 last year. Johns explained that that was the police service’s contract for legal services.
A second question was about long-term disability insurance, as that increased to $195,737 this year over $184,792 in 2024. Johns explained that that was to meet requirements in the collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
Mayor James Murdock thanked Johns for the amended police budget, saying the agency listened to council’s request for a reduced operating funding request while keeping the community’s safety in mind. He didn’t think any of the reductions would affect residents’ well-being.
Luhning said it would be better if officers paid their own long-term disability insurance since it was a taxable benefit, but she understood that this was a CBA issue.
Police budget particulars
In next year’s operating budget, the police service plans to focus on technological and communication upgrades and operational strategies and enhancements.
With tech upgrades, this includes:
- In-car reporting and enhanced computer-aided dispatch (CAD) software
- Enhanced risk management and prisoner safety through new biometric sensors in cells to monitor high-risk prisoners
- The communications centre’s new answering systems will allow the centre to receive calls by text, picture and possible GPS locations
- Phase 1 of the body-worn cameras project
With operational upgrades, the MJPS will focus on:
- Serious crime, in particular, a partnership with the RCMP
- Public safety: An enhanced police presence in parks and public spaces
- Recruiting strategies
- Professional standards: A full-time non-civilian professional standards officer to address the demands for timely and thorough investigations of complaints, to promote enhanced accountability and to regularly review and update policies
- Community response: The agency is developing a strategy to enhance further its community presence and the response times of victim services’ staff
Meanwhile, the capital upgrades include firearms range maintenance ($10,000), office renovations ($69,431), detention centre renovations ($40,000), annual contributions to the reserve account ($85,000) and contributions to an elevator upgrade fund ($30,000).
