The County of Simcoe, which provides a range of services to Barrie, is coming to the City for 7.7 per cent more than last year’s budget request.
The County provides ambulance services, long-term care, Ontario Works, children’s services, social housing, and other needs to the City. In return, the City funds its share of the services provided. That totals $26,857,000 this year, up from 2020’s forecast finish, $25,471,000, and the actual 2020 budget of $24,949,000.
The County is scheduled to present its 2021 budget numbers at Monday night’s virtual council meeting.
The County’s 2021 budget has been approved by county council. Costs related to COVID-19 pushed up spending in a number of areas, the County says. The City is being asked to come up with another $750,000 to operate long-term care, with the County citing additional costs including additional staff, disinfectants, and other virus-containing measures.
Regarding capital costs, including the redevelopment of Simcoe Manor, the City’s contribution seems to be increasing $594,000. The City’s costs for its share of land ambulance (paramedics) is actually coming in at $1 million less than last year, but the City’s share is still $6,583,000.
With the County’s budget, its residents are looking at a zero per cent municipal tax hike. City residents are facing a possible 3.59 property tax hike.
During a general committee meeting in November, conversation turned to COVID-19 support funds from other levels of government (more than $9 million from Safe Restart), and what to do with it. The question of using it to lower a possible tax hike was raised, followed by a caution from Mayor Jeff Lehman.
“The County is coming to the City for 7.7 per cent more than last year, and that’s a substantial amount of funding. When I asked questions about that, the primary cause is an increase in long-term-care costs; I think all of us who have watched what has happened during COVID can understand why the county wants to spend more on staffing and long-term care,” he said then.
“It’s a substantial bill for the City … when asked how the City could pay for this, they said Safe Restart funding.
