Editor:
We received our property tax bill last week and note that Mayor Lois Jackson commends her council for raising taxes only 1.9 per cent this year. This led me to wonder where our money goes, exactly.
I reviewed the Corporation of Delta 2013 financial plan and see the Delta Police Department gets $33.9 million this year. I further note the budget for policing in 2010 was $29,454,500.
This means Chief Jim Cessford's budget has increased $4,445,500 over three years for a total of 15.1 per cent, or about five per cent per year.
Delta has not experienced a significant increase in population during this period and the crime rate is actually falling, so why do we need more cops?
Would not this $4.4 million be better spent on schools and hospitals?
Jerry Cutler
