Draft 2024 Budget

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, November 8, 2023   8:42am

Draft 2024 Budget focused on New Staffing Plan, Operational Stability, Delivering on OPSB’s strategic priorities

(Ottawa) – The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) tabled its 2024 Draft Operating and Capital Budget with the Ottawa Police Services Board (OPSB) at a special meeting of the Board this morning.

The development of the Draft 2024 Budget was heavily guided by public feedback gathered through months of consultation this summer. That feedback showed there continue to be concerns about crime across the city, a customized approach to policing is required in the urban, suburban and rural areas, new approaches to policing are needed to deal with social issues and key operational priorities like traffic safety, violence against women, auto theft and gun violence remain important to residents.  

The Budget is constructed to ensure that the OPS can deliver on the public safety needs of the community, now and into the future. It focuses on improving public trust while delivering on the strategic priorities committed to by the Ottawa Police Services Board in 2023. By focusing on these strategic priorities, the Service will advance toward the OPSB’s overarching goal of becoming a trusted partner in building an inclusive, equitable, and safe Ottawa.

“This budget includes important investments in staffing, the development of a District policing model, more coordinated outreach strategies and follows the direction of the Board on a tax levy,” said Chief Eric Stubbs. “The Budget is directly aligned to the Board’s new Strategic Plan (scheduled for approval in November) enhancing community safety, advancing and supporting a resilient, thriving membership, building trust through strong partnerships, and improving equity, diversity, and inclusion, while strengthening our commitment to human rights.”

 Draft 2024 Budget highlights:

• The 2024 Draft Budget launches a three-year Staff Stabilization Strategy. In 2024, the strategy will include 25 growth hires as well as 40 hires to replace positions vacated due to WSIB or long term disability. When fully implemented over three years, the strategy will total 555 sworn and civilian positions (185 hires/year) which includes hiring for attrition, retirements, growth positions and hiring for positions that are vacated due to WSIB or long-term disability.
• The development of a new District policing model designed to improve service to urban, suburban and rural areas of the City
• New and ongoing investments in strategic priorities that promote equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and human rights, including those activities being rolled out as part of the DRIVE2 Strategy
• A new and better coordinated approach to community relations
• Continued investment in the OPS data program to provide safety insights to our community
• A review of wellness programming to promote the health of our members
• Delivery on the commitment of the South Facility Project
• Advancement on strategic, operational, and partnered responses to public events and demonstrations

This 2024 Draft Budget provides an overview of the resources and investments needed for the OPS to continue to evolve and adapt to the needs of our community. We remain committed to demonstrating transparency and accountability, fostering partnerships within Ottawa’s diverse communities, and building public trust. 

“This year’s Budget cycle benefitted from the extensive consultations conducted to inform the Board’s Strategic Plan,” said Chair Dr. Gail Beck. “But the consultation period isn’t over yet. We look forward to continuing to hear from the public about the 2024 Draft Budget.”

Budget Financial Highlights

The Draft Gross Operating Budget aligns with the Board’s direction and totals $415.5 million. With the deduction of one-time revenue and in consideration of non-taxation revenue and recoveries, the Net Operating Budget for the Service is $372.4 million. This represents an increase of $13.4 million compared to the 2023 Budget. The assessment growth expected in 2024 is 1.5%, with the resulting net increase to the police taxation revenues of 2.5%. 

This all equates to an approximate $17 increase on the tax bill, which brings the total for policing to $697 for the average urban household. 

Efficiencies

The OPS continues to deliver on efficiencies and is a shrinking portion of the overall city budget. In 2019, the OPS Budget was 9.5% of the city budget but is now 8.9. Federal and provincial grants are key to this budget, and we have applied to the province to secure funding for alternative service delivery, bail reform and organized auto theft.

In 2024, the OPS will once again undertake an efficiency exercise. The Service has done this for many years and finds, on average, nearly $2M in efficiencies annually. In 2024, the OPS has set an efficiency target of $2.6M.

The efficiency target will help to optimize service delivery, and create opportunities for reinvestment for other organizational priorities, including our Staff Stabilization Strategy.

We want to hear from you…
The OPS wants to hear from local residents and businesses about their thoughts on the 2024 Budget. Please consider completing the 2024 Draft Budget questionnaire, located at https://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/who-we-are/budget.aspx

Public delegations and questions from Ottawa City Councillors are welcome at the November 17, 2023, Finance and Audit Committee meeting starting at 9:00 a.m. via Zoom at the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87340374140 [us02web.zoom.us]

Comments are also welcome at the beginning of the regular meeting of the OPSB on November 27, 2023, starting at 4 p.m. (via Zoom - link to be announced by OPSB).

The OPS 2024 Budget is scheduled for approval by the OPSB on November 27, 2023. It will later be reviewed and scheduled for approval by Ottawa City Council on December 6, 2023.

A complete copy of the OPS’ 2024 Draft Operating and Capital Budget can be reviewed by visiting https://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/who-we-are/budget.aspx

You can also request a copy of the report by emailing  Budget@otttawpolice.ca.

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