The final numbers are in for the new OPP costs, and it’s clear Haliburton County comes out on the losing end. The new billing model is splitting costs between base costs (covering 60 percent) and calls for service (covering 40 percent). Each municipality will be paying a different amount based on their calls for service. Haliburton County has released the numbers, and the county as a whole will see close to $3 million in increases. The costs for each municipality will be phased in over the next five years.
The following is information provided by the County of Haliburton:
Total increase in policing costs from 2014 (to be phased in)
Algonquin Highlands – $749,717 increase from $328,922 to $1,075,071
Dysart et al – $969,184 increase from $1,132,169 to $2,101,353
Highlands East – $547,619 increase from $633,735 to $1,211,354
Minden Hills – $691,562 increase from $1,206,673 to $1,898,235
Overall County total – $2,958,083 increase from $3,327,931 to $6,286,014
Percentage of increase at the end of the phase-in period (5 years)
Algonquin Highlands – 230%
Dysart et al – 86%
Highlands East – 83%
Minden Hills – 57%
Haliburton County Warden, Dave Burton says further discussions will be held at county council meetings.