Twenty additional uniformed officers are part of the proposed $272.6-million police operating budget for 2026.

The proposed budget, set to be presented to the Waterloo Regional Police Services Board on Wednesday, calls for $20.14 million in additional spending over 2025, bringing with it a 6.75-per-cent tax impact on the police portion of the property tax bill. This would amount to an increase of $57 from 2025 for a typical residence.

The police portion of the property tax bill is approximately 30.4 per cent of total tax levy for regional services.

The new 20 uniform officers, according to a report prepared for the police services board meeting, would be “for high demand policing areas, including frontline and victim-focused areas.”

As of 2023, according to the report, Waterloo Regiona

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