‘The board and the organization would like to make sure that we’re being good partners, fiscally responsible for the money we’re giving’

The North Bay Police Board was in the giving mood during its last meeting of 2025.  

The Board announced a $1.7 million budget surplus, as they will be returning $1.25 million back to the City of North Bay. 

Daryl Longworth, North Bay’s Police Chief, claims the savings came through different avenues, including grants. 

“It does look like we were anticipating a $1.7 million surplus this year, and that comes from some savings that were recognized through bargaining. Some positions we were able to fill throughout the year or filled partly way through the year that we’re budgeted for, as well as some revenue that we were able to pursue and access through grant funding, which was not anticipated as well,” he said. 

Longworth said the Board had conversations with the city before making the decision. 

“The board and the organization would like to make sure that we’re being good partners, fiscally responsible for the money we’re giving,” he explained.  

“So we are earmarking $1.25 million of that surplus, whatever that surplus is at the end of the year. towards the city, they can make use of it as they see fit. Whatever is left over will be put towards the police purposes reserve account for unanticipated expenses or things that come up in the future. “

Staff vacancies are filling up

Longworth says part of the reason for the surplus has been the challenges of trying to fill more than 35 vacancies within the service over the past few years. 

“We’ve been working very hard, and our staff here has been really doing a great job of recruiting, not just on the sworn side, but the civilian side as well,” noted Longworth.  

“So we’re getting to the point where we’ve got almost all of those positions filled, so I hope not to have as big of a surplus next year, because that means I have people here filling those positions, and we’re actually paying that money out of budget.”

Longworth is impressed at the steady improvement in finding new police staff, as he estimates that staffing levels are currently at 95 per cent.Â