The Town of Oliver passed a resolution calling for a fair and equitable policing model.
The Town of Oliver is calling on the province to be fair and equitable when it comes to policing costs.
Council recently passed a resolution that will be considered at the Union of BC Municipalities convention this fall.
Councillor Larry Schwartzenberger introduced the resolution that requests a gradual police funding model.
Schwartzenberger said if Oliver exceeds 5,000 population in the next census, it (taxpayers) will be responsible for 70 per cent of policing costs (it currently pays 30 per cent). He views this significant jump in cost as unfair and believes the 5,000 threshold is “arbitrary.”
So the councillor is suggesting a gradual increase in policing costs based on population growth.
It was noted that unincorporated areas with populations over 5,000 pay only the provincial police tax.
The Town wants the current funding model to be reviewed by the province, with consideration given to an incremental increase based on gradual population growth.
The Town is also calling for a review of police services; to consider a regional police service model in geographical areas where populations warrant an increased level of participation by municipalities and unincorporated areas.
Mayor Ron Hovanes believes there needs to be a more equitable system to fund police services and hopes the resolution passes at UBCM.
