The Niagara Regional Police Service contingency reserve started the year at $0.
Police Board Chair Ken Gansel spoke to CKTB's Matt Holmes, and explained some of the history of the reserve.
"I have figures in front of me that actually go back to 2011, and at that point in time we had $486,000. Going into 2012 same number, and 2013 the same number. 2015 we actually had surplus within the Board's operation that year so we were at $1.2 million at the end of 2015. And then in order to meet some of the budget guidelines in 2016 we went to the reserve which is a normal, operational decision we make, as any business would make. And we basically took that number down to a negative of $165,000. 2017, we put some money back in again. Unfortunately 2017 [there was] budget pressure due to the wage settlement, which was 2% with our Police Association, which was an arbitrated settlement. So we end 2017 at $0 and in 2018 still at $0. So at the beginning of this year the decision was made at the board, rightfully so, to put $250,000 back into the service contingency reserve and start building that back up."
When asked if he believed there was any mismanagement of the money, Gansel said, "It's there for a purpose. It's there basically as a buffer. The buffer in our case in the last couple of years has been the salary increase of 2% and that had to be addressed. The Region has specific what they call 'Guidance Numbers.'"
Gansel says although he agrees, to a point, that the reserve shouldn't usually be used to cover wage increases, "In order to meet the guidance of the Region we tapped into the reserve. It's a fact. It took place. And now we're in a situation where we need to put the money back in."
To hear the full interview, click HERE.