Armstrong hit with cop costs

Photo: Contributed

Taxpayers in Armstrong will be in for a shock this year as the cost of policing climbs.

Data from the 2016 census shows the number of people living in the North Okanagan city has climbed over the 5,000 residents threshold meaning it is now responsible for paying a much larger chunk of RCMP costs.

“We're just over 5,100 (people) now,” confirmed Mayor Chris Pieper. “Municipalities with populations greater than 5,000 require a direct policing contract.”

City staff held a meeting with RCMP brass from Victoria on Tuesday before the matter was discussed at a council meeting later on.

Up until now, the province has paid for Armstrong's RCMP services and then billed the community for 50 per cent of the cost.

“Our costs are going from the 50 per cent mark to the 70 per cent mark. On top of that we will have to pay 100 per cent of support staff, with our few RCMP that is one position, and the facility rental.”

Pieper confirmed the community is in for a big hike in costs. Currently, the city pays $240,000 for its cops.

“We've got a small reserve to offset some of that huge impact,” said Pieper, pointing out the neighbouring Township of Spallumcheen has been paying the higher cost for the last ten years. “This formula has been around for a long time.”

The city must have a contract signed with the RCMP by Apr. 1, the mayor said.

At the south end of the Valley, Osoyoos is also facing higher RCMP costs after that community surpassed the 5,000 population mark.