A standoff may be in the offing between Belleville Police Services Board and city council following a 2026 city police operating budget increase of 15 per cent proposed in the new year.

While the double-digit increase is nothing new given a raft of even higher police budget hikes in municipalities across Ontario last year, the $33.5 million city police budget approved November 20 – roughly $4.5 million more than last year — has left Belleville council members uncertain how it will pay down the unforeseen extra costs.

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Or, council could send the police budget back to the board to find savings.

If council declines to accept the police budget, Belleville’s police board can send the matter to binding arbitration.

Last year, Ontario Provincial Police budget increases of 1

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