The police funding model in the province is a topic of discussion heading into the upcoming provincial election.

Okotoks Town Councillor and Director of Town's South for the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association, Tanya Thorn, says the funding model needs to be more equitable.

"Municipalities over five thousand, they typically will pay 70 per cent of their police costs, and municipalities over ten thousand will pay 90 per cent of their police costs. We cover 90 per cent of our policing costs here in the town of Okotoks," she said.

Municipalities with a population of less than five thousand are currently provided policing services at no cost.

Thorn says one of the issues is the provincial funding does not keep pace with the increasing populations, or crime rates.

She adds the AUMA would like to see costs adjusted based on demands and affordability.

"We have chronic shortfalls in resourcing. Part of that is the provincial funding hasn't kept pace with the increasing population or increasing crime rates. Ultimately, what AUMA is looking for, is that we have a more equitable police funding model, that's based on a municipality's demand for policing, and then their ability to pay," said Thorn.

Thorn says policing is becoming a bigger portion of the municipal budget each year, and the only place to draw from for that revenue, is property taxes.

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