South Huron Mayor George Finch says municipalities are being forced to choose between higher property taxes and reduced services as OPP policing costs continue to climb.
South Huron is facing a potential 11 per cent increase in its policing bill for 2027, which could add approximately $235,000 to the municipality's annual expenses.
That would bring policing costs to nearly $2.38 million, representing an increase of approximately $450,000 compared to 2025.
Finch says municipalities cannot continue absorbing increases of that magnitude.
"It's just not sustainable for over the long term. I don't know how smaller municipalities are going to possibly do it," Finch told CKNXNewsToday.ca.
Policing already accounts for about 15 per cent of South Huron's tax-supported operating costs.
Although the province has introduced an 11-per-cent cap on annual OPP policing cost increases for 2027, Finch argues that even the capped amount places too much pressure on municipal finances.
He says much of the increase is tied to expenses beyond the municipality's control, including collective bargaining agreements.
"That money's got to be absorbed somewhere and it should not be absorbed at the lower tier," Finch said.
South Huron council has passed a resolution urging the province to establish a more sustainable funding model and provide greater transparency around how policing costs are calculated.
Finch has also raised the issue at Huron County council and believes municipalities will need to present a united front to achieve meaningful changes.
"I think it will all work together through our Association of Municipalities of Ontario. And even collectively, just locally as well," he said.
Finch believes the province will eventually respond to those concerns, but cautions that any significant changes could take several years.
He says South Huron intends to continue advocating for a greater provincial role in funding policing services rather than passing additional costs onto local taxpayers.
