OPP board re-elects Andy Lennox, reviews budget
Wellington North mayor returns for second consecutive term as board chair
GUELPH – The Wellington County OPP board met on Jan. 14 to discuss the police services budget, the detachment commander’s report and the re-election of board chair Andy Lennox.
Budget
The county was the first municipality in Ontario to have a county-wide policing contract with the OPP. The provincial billing model splits policing costs based on the number of properties in the county and a calls-for-service component that varies from year to year.
The board received a cost estimate from the province in December totalling approximately $20.85 million.
The total includes the base contract and additional services agreement costs.
County staff adjusted the estimate to include positions added as part of an OPP enhancement strategy proposal.
The updated estimate for 2026 is $21.5 million.
Capital budget forecast highlights include:
- radar detection devices replaced in 2027 and 2034, totalling $105,000 and funded from the general capital reserve;
- facility-related projects totalling $4.5 million, funded through the county property reserve; and
- lifecycle replacements of the Aboyne, Rockwood and Teviotdale facilities, $4.4 million.
Commander’s report
The committee also reviewed a report from detachment commander Inspector Karen Medeiros.
In November, the crime unit launched an attempted murder investigation in Puslinch. No further details are listed in the report regarding the investigation.
The report also notes the unit is continuing to investigate a death that occurred on the Hanlon Parkway in Guelph last May.
Not all was grim in the report, as it was noted Crime Stoppers Guelph Wellington was awarded a Cybercrime and Digital Safety Initiative Award in November.
The award recognizes a program that has demonstrated leadership in tackling online crime, fraud and digital threats through innovative education and prevention initiatives.
Lennox re-elected
The first action of the meeting was to re-elect county councillor and Wellington North Mayor Andy Lennox as OPP detachment board chair for the 2026 term.
“I would like to congratulate councillor Andy Lennox on being re-elected chair ... for a second consecutive term,” Warden Chris White said. “Councillor Lennox has done an exceptional job.”
The board also elected former Erin mayor Allan Alls as vice chair.
