Weyburn City Council had its regular meeting last night, where an overage of $311,000 was approved for the Weyburn Police Service 2022 budget. 

Weyburn Police Chief Jamie Blunden brought up the fact that the Estevan Police Service has a budget that is $1.5 million higher despite having a smaller population.  

“Estevan has a much larger task base than the city of Weyburn,” said Councillor Mel Van Betuw. “They have more officers funded by the government than the City of Weyburn.”  

Van Betuw said the overage is worth it for the City of Weyburn, adding this isn’t the first time there has been an overage for a service in Weyburn. 

“We have had it before, and we have had the odd year where they've had a surplus,’ said Van Betuw. “Last year we did have two officers from 2020 that weren't on staff because they were off for different reasons, so they weren't included in the budget and so that added extensively just adding two officers paid for one year as a substantial amount.”   

Council heard from the Weyburn Gold Wings, who are seeking approval for a new fundraising strategy. The strategy consists of selling advertising space to corporations and organizations for the bottom 4 to 6 inches of each pane of plexiglass in Crescent Point Place. Council has not yet made a decision.  

“I think this is something we are going to take very seriously, but we want to make sure we have all the information necessary before we make the decision,” said Councillor Laura Morrissette. “In the long run, it is taxpayers' dollars that we could or could not be spending.” 

A motion was also carried at the meeting to provide the required resolution to apply for the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program for the heavy rain event on June 20 and 21.    

Find the full Council agenda HERE.

Gold Wings

Council