2026 Business Plan & Budget

The City is required by provincial law to balance its operating budget each year; simply put, the money raised must balance the money spent. Capital budgets, which fund long-term infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, and facilities, can include debt financing. 

Did you know?  Barrie taxes are in the lower end of other major southern Ontario municipalities.

Under Ontario’s Strong Mayor legislation, which came into effect in Barrie on July 1, 2023, the Mayor is to propose a budget to Council before February 1 each year. The Mayor's Budget outlines how the City plans to allocate resources to deliver the programs and services residents and businesses rely on every day. 

Phone Survey

During the week of September 22, 2025, the City worked with Oraclepoll Research to conduct a statistically valid phone survey of residents to gather feedback on key questions related to the 2026 Business Plan & Budget. A random selection of residents from all 10 wards in the city were contacted to take part in the survey. Input will be shared with Council as part of the 2026 Business Plan & Budget deliberations happening this fall.

Matters for Council's Consideration 

Mayoral Decision MD013-25, dated June 24, 2025, lists the following matters for City Council’s consideration as part of the Mayor’s 2026 Business Plan & Budget. 

• That the current direction of a 0% tax increase for the 2026 City operating Budget remain.
• That 1% of funding currently allocated to the Infrastructure Investment Fund, be reallocated to a new reserve specifically to fund future capital expenditures for intergovernmental projects starting in 2027 for a period of 10 years and identified as a separate levy on the property tax bill.* 
• That the Theatre Reserve be renamed the Performing Arts Centre Reserve. 
• That all funds received through the sale of Dean Avenue be allocated to the Performing Arts Centre Reserve. 
• That the Alectra dividends currently allocated to the Theatre Reserve, be reallocated to the annual operating Budget. 
• That the annual Recreation and Culture Department Operating Budget include funding in the amount of $30,000 for the Barrie Sports Hall of Fame. 
• That the Allandale Recreation Centre Refurbishment project (Z281) be reduced in the amount of $45M from the 2026 Business Plan & Budget.** 
• That the Spirit Catcher Park Development Project (000316) be removed from the 2026 Business Plan & Budget and that staff be directed to introduce a new Park Development Project around the Performing Arts Centre project in the 2026 Business Plan & Budget. 
• That the budget associated with the Barrie Public Library location at the new multi-use facility be reduced by $5M.
• That as per Council directions, a total cost avoidance of $172.5 million has been achieved through efficiencies related to the Performing Arts Centre and amalgamating the two south end multi-use facilities into one.

*This new stream of funding will support intergovernmental partnership projects. These are initiatives that bring together all levels of government to invest in Barrie’s future. The first recipient of this investment will be Georgian College, which will receive $7.5 million to support its continued expansion in downtown Barrie. This investment will help fuel innovation, support workforce development, and further strengthen the city’s core.

**A large-scale expansion is no longer necessary due to new YMCA coming to South Barrie.

Key Dates

More Budget Information