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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, October 21, 2016 | 8 Police budget of nearly $145M now headed to Region for final OK by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff The Halton Regional Police Service Board voted Thursday (Oct. 20) to approve a Halton police 2017 budget request of nearly $145 million. The request must still be approved by Halton Region. The budget represents a 3.7 per cent increase (approximately $5 million) over last year's budget, which is in keeping with the direction given to Halton police by Regional staff. "The budget priorities are to further develop and enhance service development and community safety planning," said Halton Police Chief Stephen Tanner. "There is a focus on frontline service delivery." Tanner noted a proposed hike to staffing levels accounts for one per cent of the 3.7 per cent increase. The budget proposes the hiring of 17 additional people including 13 uniform officers and four civilian support staff. The new officers include six Criminal Investigations Bureau detective constables (two for each district), four district frontline patrol officers, one district elementary school liaison officer, and two constables for the Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team. Due to the growth in the region Tanner said ideally, he would like to hire 40 new staff, but noted the requested staffing would allow the police service to remain effective. Other factors driving the budget increase include the recent settling of a collective agreement resulting in increases to police salary and benefits. Capital costs were listed as another factor. Work is currently underway to consolidate the Milton and Halton Hills stations into a single facility. That process, which is expected to stretch out from 2016-19, will cost approximately $27.5 million. Another $250,000 has been budgeted for network server replacement, $750,000 for technology replacement and upgrades. This year, police are seeking funds to replace 29 patrol vehicles and 33 non-patrol vehicles. Other requests include: · $60,000 for the replacement of marine engines for one of the service's Rescue Marine Units; see Focus on p.9 SOONTORN BAHN THAI AyA Kitchens of oAKville 1195 north service roAd west 905.847.1522 ayaoakville.com Soontorn Bahn Thai is the premium thai restaurant in downtown oakville specializing in Royal Thai cuisine with fresh ingredient from Thailand. It is extremely beautifully decorated to enhance the thai tropical effect and the romantic atmosphere. 210 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville · 905-815-8488 Monday - Thursday 11:00; Friday 11:00-11:00; Saturday 12:00-11:00; Sunday 12:00-9:30 www.bahnthaigroup.com oakville.ca CELEBRATE OAKVILLE'S OLYMPIANS! Friday, October 28 at 6:30 p.m. ­ Meet and Greet/Autograph Session Sixteen Mile Sports Complex, 3070 Neyagawa Boulevard Help us thank Oakville's Olympic and Paralympic athletes for making us hometown proud! Special guests include two-time Bronze medalist Diana Matheson, four-time Olympic medalist Adam Van Koeverden and Olympic Canoe-Kayak athlete KC Fraser. Visit oakville.ca for details. Stick around to watch the Oakville Blades take on the Toronto Patriots. Kids under 12 are free! Visit oakvilleblades.com for ticket and game information.