Council looks to Police Chief for budget flexibility as another big tax hike looms [Video]

Under public pressure to bring down property tax increases planned over the next three years, council will invite London Police Services (LPS) Chief Thai Truong to attend a committee meeting at city hall.

Budget Chair Elizabeth Peloza brought a motion to council, formally inviting the chief to make a 10-minute presentation, followed by a question and answer period.

“Questions about the (police) budget and how it’s been spent, utilized, and operationalized so far,” said Peloza. “He is prepared to answer those question.”

In March, council approved the 2024 to 2027 multi-year budget, including an annual average property tax increase of 7.4 per cent, equivalent to $274 more added to the average bill each of the four years.

A massive investment in policing makes up a significant portion of those increases, so just six months after approving the budget, council is hoping Truong can offer some spending flexibility.

Councillor Sam Trosow …