Population will be used to determine area municipalities’ share of the budget for a new police services board.
The board represents communities from Fort Frances to Rainy River.
Several options were considered, but Fort Frances Mayor Andrew Hallikas says population makes it simple and fair.
“We’re not dealing with a whole lot of money there. Population seems very straightforward. It’s reasonable. I think it’s fair,” says Hallikas.
Other options proposed basing the share of costs on calls for service or the formula used by the District of Rainy River Services Board.
The new board’s budget is estimated at about $20,000.
The money is to cover mostly administrative expenses, insurance and membership to provincial and regional advocacy organizations.
Under the formula, Fort Frances will be on the hook for about 56% of the total costs with the remaining share picked up by the town of Rainy River and the townships of Alberton, Chapple, Dawson, Emo, Lake of the Woods, La Vallee, and Morley.
Board members also approved at their meeting to name the board the Rainy River West OPP Detachment Board.