Under pressure

Next year’s budget for the Vancouver Police, already the most expensive city department, looks to jump by at least $12 million over the current year, according to preliminary estimates.

It’s another indication of the significant budget pressures facing Vancouver taxpayers and the city’s mayor-elect, Gregor Robertson, before he even takes office.

A preliminary budget estimate for the police pegs next year’s operating budget at more than $193 million. The figure is almost 7 per cent higher than this year’s $181-million budget.

The city won’t finalize next year’s operating budget until the spring. But the VPD estimates, which are going before the police board today, suggest Robertson and his newly elected council won’t have a great deal of monetary wiggle room when planning new projects.

Robertson hasn’t committed to a firm cap on tax increases next year, but he has said he will try to keep tax increases at inflation.

But with $5 million in added city expenses roughly representing a one per cent tax increase, next year’s projected VPD budget increase alone could account for a significant portion.

This year, the city’s total operating budget is pegged at around $894 million.