Lower gas prices helping Cornwall police budget

The Cornwall Police Services Board on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019. The CPS is expecting a $20,000 saving in its budget due to lower fuel prices. But it also took a hit after receiving less money from the province for court security. (Newswatch Group/Bill Kingston)

CORNWALL – Lower than anticipated prices at the pump this year are paying off in the Cornwall Police Service budget.

The police board heard Thursday morning that the department is expected to save about $20,000 by the end of the year on its $19.5 million budget.

The CPS is pretty much on track with its budget – it’s spent $14.8 million as of the end of September or about 75.8 per cent.

Meantime, the budget also took a hit as there is a $44,168 shortfall in provincial transfer payments for court security. The police department had budgeted $1,006,000 for 2019 and actually got $961,832 from the Ontario government.