Police invoice shows spike in cost

[Michael Jack]

MUSKOKA – Policing costs will hike almost 50 per cent next year.

Julie Stevens, district commissioner of finance and corporate services, stated in a letter to area municipalities that the annual Ontario Provincial Police billing statement shows a 46.9 per cent cost increase for 2015.

The additional cost would be phased in over three years, she said.

“This increase is slightly higher than what was projected by staff,” said Stevens.

The police are introducing a new billing model across the province, which will cause some municipalities to pay more.

Muskoka paid about $10.9 million for police services in 2014.

The district continues to investigate how it will collect the funds to cover policing costs and whether there are alternative police service options available.

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