City councillors have gone quiet on how to reduce Barrie’s pending property tax increase.
BarrieToday asked all councillors if a 3.95 per cent property tax increase for homeowners is acceptable this year, why or why not, and if this tax increase is to be reduced, where should savings be found, and how?
All city councillors were asked these questions last Friday and given the weekend to ponder their answers, and until Monday to respond.
Some did, some didn’t, but these are the responses to BarrieToday’s questions as 2023 budget deliberations or talks get underway at tomorrow's general committee meeting.
“I would like the opportunity to work with council on the budget Wednesday night before I make any comments at this time,” said Mayor Alex Nuttall, setting the tone. “I’d like to ensure residents that we are taking a team approach as we look for ways to mitigate the challenges within the budget and implement new strategies.
“I can assure you that we have the common goal in mind, which is to do what’s best for Barrie residents,” he added.
Ward 2 Coun. Craig Nixon didn’t deviate much from that message.
“Council is continuing to study, ask questions and prepare for deliberations,” he said. “It would be premature for me to comment at this time as to any specifics.”
“General committee meetings have been set up on Wednesday and Thursday evening this week to allow for fulsome dialogue on the proposed budget and the alignment with our strategic priorities,” said Ward 10 Coun. Bryn Hamilton. “I will not provide any commentary to the media prior to these discussions taking place.”
“Although I appreciate the interest, I will not be commenting on the budget at this time,” said Ward 4 Coun. Amy Courser.
“With respect to the question, I can't answer that at this time before we get into actual deliberations this week and see where we land,” said Ward 3 Coun. Ann-Marie Kungl.
Deputy Mayor Coun. Robert Thomson, who also represents Ward 5, Ward 1 Coun. Clare Riepma, Ward 7 Coun. Gary Harvey, Ward 8 Coun. Jim Harris, Ward 6 Coun. Nigussie Nigussie, and Ward 9 Coun. Sergio Morales did not respond to BarrieToday’s questions.
Barrie councillors have had their budget binders, detailing the 2023 operating and capital budgets, since Jan. 18 and a 74-page staff report on the budget has been available since late last week.
By the numbers
Homeowners in Barrie face a 3.95 per cent property tax increase as the city’s 2023 operating and capital budget talks begin.
This would mean $182 more for a typical home assessed at $365,040, which had taxes last year of $4,612. Adding $182 would make this year’s property taxes on that home $4,794.
This breaks down to $2,694 or 56 per cent for city services, $1,541 or 32 per cent for the city’s service partners (city police, County of Simcoe and Barrie Public Library) and $559 or 12 per cent for education.
The annual budget sets service levels, along with the taxes and fees to pay for city services, as well as water and sewer (wastewater) rates.
On a typical household consuming 180 cubic metres of water annually, the bill was $374.25 last year. With this year’s 3.7 per cent increase, which is worth $13.75, the 2023 water bill will be $388.
Last year’s sewer bill of $532.46 is slated to increase by 5.0 per cent, which is $26.54, for a 2023 total wastewater bill of $559 — again on that typical household consuming 180 cubic metres of water annually.
Increases in property taxes, water, sewer all add up to $222.29 more for Barrie residents living in a typical home assessed at $365,040 as budget talks begin.
It should be noted that Barrie’s property taxes are calculated based on the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation’s (MPAC) assessed value. MPAC last did a province-wide assessment in 2016, so these property values are significantly lower than actual 2023 market values.
Wednesday’s budget talks are scheduled to start at 7 p.m. and to continue at 5 p.m., Thursday, if need be, in the council chamber and virtually.
