Photo: Jon Manchester

Increased costs for policing in Vernon due to unionization of the RCMP just got a little more expensive.

In addition to rank and file officers receiving retroactive pay increases totalling more than 23% over six years, non-union commissioned officers will also receive a boost.

According to the Treasury Board, commissioned officers will get retroactive pay going back to 2017.

City of Vernon spokesperson Christy Poirier says administration has reviewed information from the RCMP, and there is only one commissioned officer in the local detachment whose salary the city is responsible for paying.

"That is the inspector," says Poirier.

It's unclear if the comment was in regard to Supt. Shawna Baher.

"The City of Vernon pays 90% of the salary, while the Government of Canada pays the other 10%," says Poirier.

The adjusted salary impact on the city for 2022 is $20,523.

"The approximate amount of retro-pay for the one non-unionized position will be between $80,000 and $90,000 (2017-2022)," Poirier wrote in an email.

"The City of Vernon began preparing for the outcome of the RCMP salary negotiations in 2018, and is well-positioned to cover the payment when required."

The contract was estimated last year to add approximately $3.4 million in one-time costs of retroactive pay to the city budget.

Salary increases from Jan. 1 forward were estimated to equate to a 2.4% tax hike this year.

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities and Union of BC Municipalities have both asked the federal government to contribute more toward policing costs.

According to a September report to council, the 2021 RCMP contract budget was $10,389,074 – with about 70% or $7,236,998 going to member compensation and pensions.