Barrie Police Seek $67 Million Budget for 2024 - a Substantial Increase from Last Year

The Barrie Police Services budget for the upcoming year exceeds 67 million dollars, leading to a request for an additional 4.29 million dollars from Barrie taxpayers compared to 2023. The budget was discussed at a recent City Council Meeting held on January 17, where Chair of the Barrie Police Services Board Greg Ferguson and Police Chief Rich Johnston presented their case.

Budget Overview

The proposed budget represents not only a substantial increase of more than 6 percent from the previous year (2023), but it also accounts for a 22% of the city's entire budget. This marks the second consecutive year in which the police budget is expected to rise as a percentage of the total city budget. The implications of this increase may be a matter of concern for both city officials and residents.

Chair Ferguson and Chief Johnston's Presentation

During the presentation, Chair Ferguson outlined three key themes that underpin the budget proposal: Staffing & Wellness, Revenue & Funding, and Responding to Growth. However, a noteworthy aspect was that only one of the 24 slides in the presentation was dedicated to the police force's role in ensuring the safety of Barrie's residents.

The presentation showed that over 94% of the budget is allocated to salaries for officers and other employees. More than 5% of the total budget increase is earmarked solely for salaries and benefits. These statistics highlight the substantial financial commitment required to maintain the current level of police services in Barrie.

Current Police Force Status

Barrie Police currently boasts a force of 250 sworn officers, with 232 of them currently on active duty and 15 on leave due to work-related injuries. The budget request includes provisions to replace 12 officers and add four new civilian positions, reflecting the ongoing need for a capable and adequately staffed police force.

Differing Perspectives

Mayor Alex Nuttall set the tone for the budget discussion asserting that decisions about policing should not be made by politicians and bureaucrats, suggesting that the police budget is a bill that the city should simply pay. He was quoting from a column by Barrie Today’s Bob Bruton. However, this viewpoint was met with opposition from Ward 4 Councillor Amy Courser, who challenged the Mayor's stance.

The only other councillor to express opposition to the budget increase was Ward 1 Councillor Clare Riepma. Riepma voiced his displeasure with the rising police budget in comparison to the total city budget, raising concerns about the allocation of resources.

Misunderstanding of Percentage Increase

A noteworthy moment during the discussion occurred when Mayor Nuttall appeared to misunderstand the percentage increase in the police budget relative to the overall city budget. This misunderstanding highlighted the importance of accurate information and transparency in budget deliberations.

Lack of Clarity

Chair Ferguson was also unable to provide a clear explanation for the substantial budget increase compared to the City overall budget, leaving many unanswered questions for council members and the public alike. This lack of clarity further underscores the need for comprehensive and transparent budget discussions.

The Barrie City Council is scheduled to make a final decision on the 2024 Barrie Police Services budget on January 31.