The policing saga in Orangeville is over. Council has voted to switch to OPP in an effort to save millions of your tax dollars.
The vote was 6-1 in favour of accepting OPP’s contract offer. Here’s how council voted:
Mayor Sandy Brown – Yes
Deputy mayor Andy Macintosh – Yes
Coun. Joe Andrews – Yes
Coun. Debbie Sherwood – Yes
Coun. Grant Peters – Yes
Coun. Lisa Post – Yes
Coun. Todd Taylor – No
Orangeville council has agreed to OPP’s three-year transitional contract that is an $8.1-million annual expense budget. It also includes an additional one-time startup cost of about $1.2-million.
The decision ends Orangeville Police Service’s 155 year history of policing the community.
myFM News spoke with residents in attendance, a majority of which were there in support of OPS.
There were also residents in support of council’s decision.
Councillor Todd Taylor was the only member of council who voted to keep OPS.
Deputy mayor Andy Macintosh never campaigned on getting another OPP costing, but when it came time to vote after the long process, he went with what felt was right.
Councillor Lisa Post says the decision to vote in favour of OPP was tough, but believes this will lessen the burden on taxpayers going forward.
Councillor Joe Andrews says his decision is no view toward any service other than looking at it from a levelheaded point of view.
Mayor Sandy Brown believes this decision will change the narrative that Orangeville is the most taxed town in Ontario.
Councillor Debbie Sherwood says she was confident with her decision to go OPP.
Councillor Grant Peters says there was a lot to weigh in his decision.
Stay tuned to 101.5 myFM and OrangevilleToday.ca for the latest and more reaction.
