Barrie Police Requests Highest 2025 Budget Increase, joined by Simcoe County and Library

The Barrie Police Service has requested a $72.2 million budget for 2025, marking a 7% increase from the previous year, the highest among the city's three major service partners, which also include Simcoe County and the Barrie Public Library.

Barrie Police Services Board Chair Greg Ferguson and Police Chief Rich Johnston presented this budget proposal at the recent City Council meeting. The proposed increase is driven by ongoing costs and mandatory expenses such as salaries and legislative requirements. A significant focus of the budget is the addition of deployable officers, addressing WSIB claims through wellness programs, as well as investing in proactive policing, technology, and strategies to manage rising call volumes. The budget received strong support from city councilors and Mayor Alex Nuttall, with the council suggesting the possibility of further funding for the police in the future.

Simcoe County, which provides essential services to Barrie, is requesting $32.9 million from the city for 2025, marking a 2.9% increase over the previous year. The county's budget request includes funding for social services such as Ontario Works, Children's Services, Community Services, Paramedic Services, Long-Term Care, and the Simcoe County Museum and Archives. Last week, County Warden Basil Clarke and his team highlighted their focus on collaborations with Barrie and investments in key areas like childcare and homelessness initiatives. Simcoe County and Barrie have recently partnered on projects such as the opening of a warming center and the relocation of a rapid re-housing initiative. Barrie City Council raised questions regarding the county's budget and shared services.

The Barrie Public Library has also requested a 3.7% increase in funding for 2025, bringing their total request to $9.9 million. This increase is $90,000 more than the previous year, which is relatively modest compared to the police and county's requests. Last week, Lauren Jessop, CEO of the Barrie Public Library, and Austin Mitchell, Chair of the Library Board, presented the budget to the council. The library experienced significant growth in 2024, with 12,000 new members joining, raising the total number of active cardholders to over 46,000. The library hosted more than 2,700 programs with nearly 52,000 participants. The additional funding will support the library’s collection, community outreach, and the county-run Community Navigator program, which connects residents with social services. Council members questioned the library's fundraising efforts, the effectiveness of the Community Navigator program, and the library’s reserve fund policy, and also discussed the possibility of a new library location in the city's northwest. In response, the library provided insights into their fundraising strategies, the success of the Community Navigator program, and the importance of their reserve funds for maintaining operations and supporting future growth. 

Overall, the budget requests for Barrie’s major service partners reflect rising costs and increased demand for services, with city council continuing to assess and engage with the proposals.