Outgoing Mayor Paul Jenkins is sounding the alarm over the increasing cost of Ontario Provincial Police service.
The town has sent a letter to the Office of the Solicitor General, noting that Bancroft has experienced policing costs that have become the single largest uncontrollable pressure on its annual operating budget.
In 2026, the Town of Bancroft’s policing costs were $1,609,020, representing 21.5 per cent of the municipal tax levy.
Based on the legislated 11 per cent cap for 2027, policing costs could increase by $176,992, bringing the total annual cost to approximately $1,786,012.
“All municipalities are going to be hit with this. I’m actually a little surprised we haven’t heard more, but maybe people are just preoccupied by the (municipal) election,” said Jenkins.
If the town pays 11 per cent more for policing next year, the increase would be equivalent to a 2.37 per cent tax increase. The projected 2027 policing cost would account for approximately 24 per cent of the municipal tax levy.
Jenkins said affordability is the number one issue affecting the people of Bancroft today, and the only way the town can pay for policing is to increase property taxes.
“The only tool municipalities have to offset our increased costs is to raise taxes and that has a direct impact on our residents. Unlike the federal and provincial governments, when prices go up they get more money automatically on sales taxes, etc.”
He added council wanted to let the province know year-over-year increases to policing costs are unsustainable.
“We have many other projects and infrastructure items we need to tackle and with all this money going to one budget line, it’s very difficult to plan and execute them. This is no reflection on the service we receive from the fine men and women on the police force.”
Jenkins said he is surprised the issue hasn’t been more of a priority for the Rural Ontario Municipalities Association (ROMA).
“All municipalities are going to be hit with this. I’m actually a little surprised we haven’t heard more from them, but maybe people have been preoccupied with the municipal election.”
