THUNDER BAY - The Thunder Bay Police Service is starting the 2022 fiscal year in the red, reporting a negative variance of nearly $400,000.
According to a report presented to the Thunder Bay Police Services Board by chief Sylvie Hauth on Tuesday, an unfavourable variance of $385,000 is projected for the first quarter ending on March 31, 2022.
City council previously approved a net operative budget of $48.7 million for the police service in 2022.
The negative variance includes $171,000 in unbudgeted costs relating to network connectivity and building and security at a new leased facility being used to accommodate operational and training requirements for the Police Service.
While there are projected favourable variances from computer leases and telecommunication expenses, it is offset by vehicle maintenance and fuel prices resulting in a further negative variance in materials of $85,000.
Purchased services and professional fees are projected to result in a negative variance of $294,000, which includes unbudgeted costs for Police Service Act hearings related to the death of Stacey DeBungee of $191,000.
Provincial grant revenues have resulted in a $133,000 favourable variance for the first quarter, including $51,000 from the Court Security and Prisoner Transportation Grant and $90,000 in funding to enhance the Mobile Crisis Response Team.
A further favourable variance of $68,000 is also projected as a result of loosening COVID-19 restrictions and savings associated with less health and safety expenses.
The Thunder Bay Police Services Board is also projecting a negative variance of $200,000 to end the first quarter.
According to the report, the negative variance is largely due to higher than anticipated costs for legal services of $108,000.
