Ken Mann
3/21/2013
The battle continues over the Hamilton Police budget.
City politicians have again deferred that item, and are asking police to attend a special meeting of the General Issues Committee which will be scheduled prior to April.4th.
Councillors are seeking answers to a number of questions, including confirmation that 3.52% is the increase needed for the force to maintain current service levels.
The police budget has increased by 20% since 2008. Councillor Sam Merulla, who stresses that he has never before not supported the police budget, notes that if all departments existed in that same "bubble" taxes would be going through the roof.
Despite the ongoing standoff over the police budget, more progress has been made as Hamilton politicians chip away at the city's 2013 operating budget.
Taxpayers are now looking at an increase of 1.9% or about 68 dollars on the average home.
The most recent savings come from the winter control budget and from a projected decrease in Ontario Works recipients.
Parking meter rates and transit fares are being left alone for this year.
April 10th is now the projected date for approval of the budget.
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