Morden's Police Board members say the current funding model for law enforcement in Morden is unsustainable.

Board Chair Rich Harries explains the current funding formula was created around Morden's population reaching 15,000 by the year 2020.

He notes the city is not likely to reach those projections, and due to the inflationary nature of the collective agreement, it has created a situation that likely isn't sustainable in the long run.

"Our Chief of Police has done a great job, we've been under budget every year. In order to effectively plan for the police service to be able to deliver a service that we're comfortable moving forward, we need to invest in people; we're going to need to invest in a structure that not only the citizens of Morden's policing needs today but five, ten years down the road."

Harries says to accomplish that, additional officers are needed, an altered structure, though in the short term that creates some financial pain.

According to estimates by Police Chief Brad Neduzak, the service is likely to be at or slightly below the 2018 budget of $2,264,431.

The Morden Police Board recently met with their newest members, to discuss the best ways to serve the community.

Harries has returned as Board Chair; he says he's optimistic after the group's inaugural meeting Wednesday.

"I'm excited if the first meeting is any indication we've got an engaged group on the police board going forward. I think we've got some good experience and representation from Council with an incumbent councillor and a first-time councillor."

Morden's police board has a unique structure compared to other cities and comprises of two city representatives, which the city has deemed to be city councillors, one representative for the province, appointed by the province of Manitoba, and two citizen representatives chosen through an application process.

Appointed as city representatives are Incumbent councillor Hank Hildebrand and councillor Jim Hunt, returning as the provincial representative is Linda Doerksen, and the citizen representatives are Rich Harries and newcomer Steven Ross.

Harries says Ross brings much to the board, not only from his background in education, but his experience working with the provincial government, and overall the skill set of the entire police board will be an asset.

Looking to 2019 Harries says they'll have to bring their three new members up to speed, and a focus on going back to the community and engage with them, through surveys or town hall meetings, and ask what is important to them.

The regional policing project between Morden Police Service and Winkler Police Service talks have been put on pause. With new representation on Council Harries believes it's important for the board to speak with Council for direction, if the idea of a regional service is important for them, and is in the best interest of the citizens of Morden.