CORRESPONDENCE REGARDING MODERNIZE THE MUNICIPAL POLICE COST SHARING FORMULA
Email chain from AVICC and UBCM suggesting revisions to a View Royal resolution concerning municipal police cost-sharing models.
From: Theresa Dennison tdennison@avicc.ca Sent: Monday, March 4, 2024 2:36 PM To: Scott Sommerville ssommerville@viewroyal.ca; Elena Bolster EBolster@viewroyal.ca Cc: Jamee Justason jjustason@ubcm.ca Subject: FW: View Royal Resolution titled: Modernize the Municipal Police Cost Sharing Formula
Good Afternoon,
UBCM is currently reviewing the AVICC Resolutions submitted for consideration at our convention in April. They have recommended a revision to the resolution submitted by the Town of View Royal titled Modernize the Municipal Police Cost Sharing Formula, and has included some context and rationale behind the recommendation below.
Let me know if you approve the recommended revision or if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Theresa Dennison Executive Coordinator | Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities 236.237.1202 tdennison@avicc.ca www.avicc.ca
The AVICC acknowledges that we are grateful to live, work, and play on the traditional territories of the Coast Salish, Nuu-Chah-Nulth and Kwak-Waka'wakw Peoples
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From: Jamee Justason jjustason@ubcm.ca Date: Monday, March 4, 2024 at 2:16 PM To: Theresa Dennison tdennison@avicc.ca Subject: View Royal Resolution titled: Modernize the Municipal Police Cost Sharing Formula
Hello Theresa,
Can you please reach out to your contact at View Royal, I have some concerns about their resolution titled: Modernize the Municipal Police Cost Sharing Formula. The enactment clause contains an incorrect statement and the whereas clauses (about the housing legislation) are making assumptions that may not actually lead to higher policing costs.
Contrary to what the enactment clause states, municipalities under 5,000 do not pay 30% of the RCMP Policing Costs. The residents of these municipalities, as well as those residing in unincorporated areas, pay for policing through the Province's Police Tax. The Police Tax was created by the Province as a means to recover up to 50% of legislated policing costs. The Province, last year, implemented a policy that will see the Police Tax tax rate set at a minimum of 33%. However, this rate also incorporates a number of policy-based deductions that are not considered in the police cost-sharing models for municipalities over 5,000 in population.
The cost-sharing models for municipalities over 5,000 in population are outlined in the 20-year Municipal Police Unit Agreement (MPUA) that these municipalities have signed with the Province, and which do not expire until March 31, 2032. The provisions in these Agreements, including the cost sharing model, may be reviewed through the Five Year Review process (see article 21.0 of the MPUA). During each of the first two Five Year Reviews (2017 and 2022), UBCM has sought input from the membership through The Compass and other forums.
The whereas clauses are making assumptions related to the impacts of recent provincial housing legislation on municipalities. While Bills 44 and 47 are intended to increase housing density and supply, there is uncertainty regarding how much supply will increase and how quickly this can be accomplished.
In 2020, the Province announced its intent to review the Police Act, subsequently creating the all-party Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act (SCRPA). In its final report, the SCRPA recommended that the Province create a fair and equitable funding model for local governments that includes "exploring options to phase in or incrementally increase the municipal share of policing costs." UBCM continues to work with the Province, through the Local Government Policing Modernization Roundtable, to address these and other policing modernization priorities.
Given these points, I would like to propose an amendment to your resolution.
Current Wording:
Whereas inflation, burnout, rising equipment costs, and an increased number of officers have made the existing cost sharing formula outdated, the new and unexpected rapid growth from the Province’s housing bills (Bill 44 – 2023 Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act and Bill 47 – 2023 Housing Statutes (Transit-Oriented Areas) Amendment Act) will dramatically escalate policing costs;
And whereas Bill 46 – 2023 Housing Statutes (Financing Tools) Amendment Act that broadens the scope of infrastructure eligible to be funded through Development Cost Charges to now include police facilities is insufficient to address the already over-capacity police facilities:
Therefore be it resolved that the Province modernize the municipal police cost sharing formulas with the following revisions:
- From municipalities with populations of:
- less than 5,000 contributing 30%;
- 5,000 to less than 15,000 contributing 70%; and
- 15,000 or more contributing 90%;
- To municipalities with populations of:
- less than 5,000 contributing 30%;
- 5,000 to less than 10,000 contributing 50%;
- 10,000 to less than 20,000 contributing 70%;
- 20,000 to less than 40,000 contributing 80%; and
- 40,000 or more contributing 90%;
And be it further resolved that the above modernization be effective before the 2026 federal census.
Proposed Amendment:
Whereas inflation, officer burnout, rising equipment costs, and rapidly increasing officer salaries have made the existing cost sharing formulas and RCMP policing costs unsustainable for local governments;
And whereas the Province’s housing legislation, including Bill 44 and Bill 47, may lead to increased policing costs, while Bill 46 will allow for police facilities to be funded through development cost charges, but will not help address the issue of police capacity:
Therefore be it resolved that the Province work with local governments to develop a new RCMP funding framework that gradually increases the cost-share rate for local governments at the 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 and 40,000 population thresholds.
And be it further resolved that the above amendments be implemented immediately, prior to the 2026 federal census.
Please let me know what View Royal has any questions and if they approve of the proposed amendment?
Thank you,
Jamee Justason, Resolutions and Policy Analyst (she/her) Union of BC Municipalities 604-270-8226 ext. 100 | jjustason@ubcm.ca 60 – 10551 Shellbridge Way, Richmond, BC V6X 2W9