Hastings County councillors set to "make some noise" about OPP cost hikes

[Michael Jack]

Hastings County council is poised to object to the latest price hikes for Ontario Provincial Police service and the lack of a phased-in approach.

Many leaders of the county’s 14 member municipalities criticized the province’s approach Tuesday while meeting in Belleville for the monthly session of council’s finance committee.

Chief administrative officer Connor Dorey said the total cost for OPP service across the county is set to jump from $8.5 million this year to $10.3 million next year.

That $1.8-million difference amounts to an increase of 24 per cent, he said.

Dorey added county municipalities are facing, on average, an increase of 3.2 per cent on their tax levies, with taxpayers will feel the squeeze.

The issue was not on the day’s agenda. Madoc Township Mayor Loyde Blackburn tabled a motion in the “new business” portion of the meeting.

“I think it’s time all 14 of us gather around and make some noise and some serious pushback,” Blackburn said.

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