The Waterloo Regional Police Service has reduced its 2013 budget but it would still mean a 1.75 per cent increase on property taxes.

Last month’s proposal carried a 2.8 per cent increase to taxpayers.

Board Chair Tom Galloway tells 570 News they will reduce the number of new hires next year, and lose 8 constables through attrition.

He says the public won’t notice a decrease in services, as it’s a reduction of one per cent of officers.

But the force is responsible for hiring 8 new special constables for the new courthouse, and Galloway says the province has not indicated it will help with that $1.5-million cost.

Galloway says it’s tough to trim the budget, as almost 95 per cent goes to salaries and benefits.

He says those are decided through arbitration and it’s something the board doesn’t  have control over.

Galloway says the increase in the police budget will likely be the largest of all the region’s programs.

Last year’s police budget was just under $126-million, and last month the police board proposed a $138-million budget.

The region’s 2013 draft budget is up 1.9 per cent from 2012, but that doesn’t include the massive police budget or some new programs.

Council is expected to vote on a final budget in January.