The Greater Napanee Town Council is grappling with a significant rise in policing costs after receiving concerning correspondence from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). The 2025 OPP service bill is estimated at over $5 million, marking a 23% increase from 2024. This spike could lead to a 6% increase in the town’s tax levy.
In response, council members have requested a detailed report on the new OPP billing model, which will be presented at their next meeting before budget talks begin. Some of the increased costs are tied to policing services for local provincial facilities, such as jails, which council hopes to revisit in the future.
Adding to the council’s frustrations are delays from KPMG, which has yet to deliver two key reports. Council is now seeking biweekly updates from KPMG, with an expected report delivery date in October.
Greater Napanee’s leadership is working to address these rising costs and will discuss possible solutions in the coming weeks. The town council and residents should prepare for tough budget decisions, as the OPP billing increase will significantly impact the town’s finances. Further discussions are set to continue at their next meeting.
Written by Emily Chatwood
