‘The cost keeps rising, while the provincial contribution is dropping, leaving residents in Barrie to cover $3 million of that deficit,’ says a councillor.
The city is looking to discuss with the county about who should pay for court security and prisoner transportation at the Barrie courthouse.
During a general committee meeting on Wednesday night, councillors approved a motion for city staff to negotiate a separate agreement alongside the updated – and still being worked on – municipal shared services agreement. This would have the County of Simcoe provide funds to the City of Barrie representing their share of costs related to court and prisoner transportation.
“The citizens of Barrie, our taxpayers, are covering 100 per cent of a cost that they should really only be responsible for 40 per cent,” stated Coun. Clare Riepma. “It’s clear that 60 per cent of this service is used by other areas within the surrounding county.”
The city council will review final approval for this motion at its Dec. 10 meeting when they plan to approve both the 2026 operating and capital budgets, along with next year’s property tax increase.
The budget for the Barrie Police Service in 2026 indicates a $3-million shortfall in provincial funding intended for court security and prisoner transportation grants for the Barrie courthouse.
The total cost stands at $5.3 million, while provincial funding amounts to only $2.3 million. Consequently, through Barrie police, the city is responsible for covering the $3-million difference.
Last year’s shortfall was $2 million and it was $1.8 million in the year before that.
Only 40 per cent of users at the Barrie courthouse are city residents.
“The costs keep increasing while provincial payments decline, forcing residents here in Barrie to cover $3 million of that deficit,” Riepma remarked.
“We’re contributing an unfair amount towards serving court needs concerning security and some transport,” added Coun. Gary Harvey.
Riepma did propose a motion suggesting that Barrie’s contribution towards County of Simcoe’s budget be cut by $1.8 million-representing 60 per cent of the funding gap related to courthouse security and transportation within city police budgeting-and that any new shared services deal include coverage from the county for 60 per cent of these gaps.
However, Riepma later withdrew his proposal.
“This funding isn’t included in this agreement currently before council,” said Barrie CAO Michael Prowse, “nor was it part of previous agreements. So there isn’t any way right now to establish cost-sharing regarding courts, whether criminal or otherwise.”
The County of Simcoe provides various services to Barrie including paramedics, homelessness prevention initiatives, long-term care beds, non-profit social housing projects, Ontario Works programs, children’s services, Simcoe County Housing Corporation support services as well as community services overall.
Barrie’s share toward these costs will be about $35 million in 2026-a rise from this year’s figure which stood at $33.5 million (a 4.4 percent increase).
“We need to consider how this relationship (with the county) benefits us,” Mayor Alex Nuttall stated. “We’re taking on significant expenses concerning social services within our city.”
“This situation leaves me feeling infuriated.”
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