Police Budget / Ramifications

City council on Monday, approved part of the Calgary Police Service budget, on that all current and new Police officer related items will go through. They then qualified it by asking that they make other cuts. In the business world, when a budget is submitted for apporoval, Managent will say OK, or please do more evaluation. As the preliminary budget is approved, we as new Alderman, will have to deal with the other departments concerns. Today, the Fire Department said they will be cancelling new recruit classes, and when they submit their budget, they will blame shortfalls on CPS and their approval.

I am sure that council will consider all budgets equally, and as long as everything is within reason, then budgets will be approved.

There are areas of City hall that all need to be fiscally responsible. For any avenue where revenue is part of the budget, then I believe that this could be used to offset all aspects of spending.

If there is a tax base that is related to spending, then these areas must be carefully scrutinized to ensure a balanced budget. Should the demands out weigh the income, then cuts may be necessary. These should be evaluated on a case by case basis.

It is extremely interesting that citizens comment immediately in favor of budgets related to Police services, as well as the fire department. But when city hall calls for a tax increase, every one is up in arms as to why.

BTW - I am also in that same group. I want to insure the taxes I pay are relevant, and related to my community. CPS, to me could be a revenue generating department within Calgary - unfortunately, the income revenue comes from everyone... This time, instead of taxes, they are fines. (But CPS does not have a quota.... do they?) Should CPS become revenu generating another "Citizen Term" comes to mind - Does Cash Cow ring a bell?