Police to keep $1.8 million surplus rather than return to city
'It seems like a one-sided relationship': Terry Whitehead
Hamilton Police had a $1.8 million surplus in its budget for 2014, and the service will keep the money in its own reserve fund rather than return it to the city, the police services board voted Thursday.
The proposal triggered a debate about whether the city's financial relationship with the police is fair.
The surplus was due in part to less than expected expenses on overtime and vehicle maintenance, and reimbursements for preparation for the upcoming Pan Am Games, according to a final budget report presented to the board.
As part of a wide-ranging meeting covering use-of-force incidence and crime statistics from 2014, the police services board considered a proposal Thursday to allow the police to keep the surplus in its own reserve funds rather than return it to the city. Police proposed setting aside $900,000 in a special fund to put toward a $15 million investigative services building, and divide the rest between police sick bank and another police capital reserve fund.
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Coun. Terry Whitehead, who represents the city on the board, said he felt the money should be returned to the city budget. When the police service is in trouble, they knock on the city's door for help, he said.
"If we're taking care of the deficit, then surely if there's a surplus there should be a benefit there too," he said. "It seems like a one-sided relationship."
But Chief Glenn De Caire said by setting aside the reserve fund he hopes to minimize those future requests for the city should the department run a deficit.
Mayor Fred Eisenberger said he's comfortable with the police holding on to the money in its reserve.
"Hopefully you never have to come to the city again [for help]," he said.
The board voted 5-to-1, with Whitehead opposed, to approve the proposal.