Barrie Mayor Wants City's At-Risk Kids to Benefit From Federal Bright Future Safety Grant

During the May 29 general committee meeting at Barrie City Hall, the council discussed how to best allocate more than a million dollars the city receives for addressing gun and gang issues in Barrie. 

Thanks to these substantial grants, it costs the city only $4,000 per student to run these programs during the summer break. 

At the meeting, the council also discussed the composition of the Recreation and Sport Community Grant panel. This grant offers financial support to local organizations and initiatives that promote recreational and sports activities within the community. 

The council agreed that the panel would consist of three staff members and two community members.

Recreation and Sport Community Grant Adjudication Process:

Ward 3 Councillor Ann-Marie Kungl suggested that the adjudication panel for recreation and sport community grants should be led by citizens instead of including elected officials. She cited the City of Guelph's successful model, which aligns grants with strategic directions and key performance indicators and recommended exploring a similar approach in their city.

Several council members, including Clare Riepma of Ward 1 and Gary Harvey of Ward 7, expressed their reluctance to be involved in the grant adjudication process. They preferred that staff manage the process with clear criteria and financial oversight, believing this would ensure a more objective and professional approach. An amendment was proposed to change the panel's composition to include three staff members and two community members, aiming to balance expertise and community input in decision-making.

Federal Community Safety Grant:

Mayor Alex Nuttall expressed concerns regarding the previous allocation of federal funds intended for community safety. He stressed the importance of a clear and defendable process, particularly when handling federal funding, to ensure transparency and accountability.

The Federal Community Safety Grant is aimed at addressing gun and gang issues and enhancing community safety. The grant involved significant funding (e.g., $700,000 previously allocated with another $400,000 expected), necessitating a robust and transparent process for allocation.

The total amount of funding received over the entire life of the agreement is $1,866,398, allocated by the federal fiscal year (April 1st – March 31st) as follows: $66,014 for 2022/23, $700,149 for 2023/24, $700,149 for 2024/25, and $400,086 for 2025/26.

The role of the council in the adjudication process for these grants was debated. Some argued that council members are well-positioned to understand and address community needs, while others felt it might be inappropriate for them to make these decisions directly. A consensus emerged that, for the final year of funding, the adjudication process should involve community safety and well-being committees, emphasizing the need to minimize conflicts of interest and apply transparent, objective criteria.