Present:        Councillor E. El-Chantiry (Chair), Councillor J. Harder, C. Nicholson,

L.A. Smallwood, Councillor T. Tierney, S. Valiquet

Regrets:        J. Durrell (Vice Chair)

ITEM OF BUSINESS

1.      2016 DRAFT OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGETS

Chief Bordeleau introduced Director General D. Frazer and Mr. W. Salem, Director of Finance, who presented the 2016 draft Budget.  (A copy of the presentation will be kept on file with the Board’s Executive Director.)  The Chief took a moment to thank Valerie McCallum, Sheila Hamilton, Owen Bell, Jonathon Sweet, Heather Fisher and Krista Ferraro for the tremendous effort they put into preparing the budget.  He also thanked the Executive and Senior Management Committee who worked diligently to achieve the targets and create the documents presented today. 

Topics covered in the presentation included:

·          Policing Context and Operational Priorities

·          2016 Draft Operating budget

·          2017 – 2019 Draft Operating Forecast

·          2016 Draft Capital Budget and Forecast.

Referring to a possible provincial grant cut mentioned by the Chief, Member Harder asked if there was a reason for the cut.  Chief Bordeleau explained that the Province sent out letters a couple of months ago advising that the various provincial policing grants were being restructured.  The cut would be seen after the province’s current fiscal year ends on March 31, 2016, and involves the Provincial Anti-Violence Intervention Strategy (PAVIS) program.  The OPS currently funds five Direct Action Response Team (DART) positions with that grant and staff are anticipating a cut of about $600,000.  As restructuring plans are not yet final this pending cut will be tracked as a budget pressure.  He added that the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) has expressed their concern to the Ministry and suggested there would likely be an opportunity for boards to advocate and address the issue.

Chair El-Chantiry noted that a full explanation of the new funding model has not yet been received but it is clear that the reduction will affect services across the province.  The Ontario Association of Police Services Boards (OAPSB) is working closely with colleagues at the OACP and Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) to find out more information about the change. 

Member Harder asked how the traffic risk will be managed with the further delay of the new south end facility.  Chief Bordeleau explained that when ranking priorities it was clear that people and members far outweigh facilities and that was the basis of the decision to hire more officers and address the wellness of members, and delay the facilities plan by one year.

Responding to a question from Chair El-Chantiry about the new hires, DG Frazer clarified the cost of $1.3 million for the first year will be offset with that year’s efficiencies.  The forecast shows the new recruits moving through the classes, and captures the impact of the salary increases.  Staff will continue looking for further reductions in an attempt to offset the costs.

Moved by S. Valiquet

That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive and table the Ottawa Police Service 2016 Draft Operating and Capital Budgets, to be considered at the Board meeting on November 30, 2015.

                                                                                                RECEIVED and TABLED

ADJOURNMENT

            The meeting adjourned at 9:05 a.m.

            (original signed by)                                               (original signed by)

      ____________________________            _____________________________

      W. Fedec                                                          E. El-Chantiry

      Executive Director                                          Chair