July 6, 2009 - District of Mission

134APPENDIX "B"Ha ee en !ii•I IRenewal_ of thE RCMP Contract for Police ServicestipCog.-relatgd issues:I. Continuing rapid escalation of the costs of RCMP local police services (abovethe sum of inflation and population growth): Police services -relatedexpenditures in most B.C. municipalities with a population of greater than 5,000are the single largest budget item in the annual operating budget. In the case ofthe City of Surrey the operating costs associated with the RCMP contract policeservices absorb 45% of the City's total revenues from property taxes. Thesepolice services costs have been increasing by percentages higher than the sum ofinflation and population growth for many years. Between 1999 and 2008,thecompound effect of growth and inflation combined was 55%. During this sameperiod the amount paid by Surrey for RCMP contract police services rose by129%. This trend is not sustainable and fundamental adjustments in how thesecosts are allocated between orders of government are necessary or new revenuestreams need to be provided to local governments to assist with the burden ofescalating police services costs. The cost-sharing formula in the current Contractneeds to remove a larger amount of the cost burden from local government.2. Cost Sharing for local government police services between orders ofgovernment: Most of the activities of local government police services aredriven by legislation and regulations that are within the jurisdiction of theProvincial and/or Federal governments and yet most of the costs associated withpolice services are being paid by the local order of government. A study shouldbe undertaken on this issue to be used as information in the structuring of a newcost allocation formula between orders of government related to police services.3, Cost control and certainty: Information available to local governments islimited about bow costs are controlled by the RCMP and about the reasons foradjustments in the costs of police services that occur from year to year. Thesalary adjustments that are made within the RCMP structure occur withoutconsultation with local government. In addition, there are times when little noticeis given by the RCMP or the Province in relation to changes in the cost structureof the RCMP and the payments that local governments must make for the RMCPlocal detachment. For example, in late 2007, the RCMP sent out a notice that asignificant increase in premiums payable by local governments for the RCMPpension plan. This notice came very late in the budget process of most localgovernment for 2008 making it necessary to make adjustments to the draft 2008budget late in the approval process. The RCMP can and at times do makeunilateral decisions that affect the costs payable by local government withoutconsultation with the local government This is not considered reasonable in thecontext of a "contract" or "partner' relationship.OL/9 d 5t780 'ONSElI1VdIOINnA OS JO NOINn lAcIPP:L 6006 '96 'Nu