County pushes back on Barrie’s boundary expansion proposal

The County of Simcoe passed a motion outlining conditions for Barrie’s boundary expansion talks.

The County of Simcoe is raising concerns about the City of Barrie’s proposed boundary expansion, warning it could cost the region millions in tax revenue and development charges, impact infrastructure, and chip away at local economic development.

According to a recommendation report presented to the County on Tuesday, staff were directed to work closely with impacted municipalities and consultants to complete a detailed analysis of the potential fallout from Barrie’s proposed annexation of land from Springwater and Oro-Medonte.

“An adjustment to the boundaries of the Township of Oro-Medonte and the Township of Springwater is also an adjustment to the boundaries of the County of Simcoe,” the report noted. “There are countless examples of municipalities growing side by side in Ontario, where annexation is not required to support growth.”

The County made it clear it’s not opposed to a boundary adjustment, as long as the municipalities involved achieve “mutual benefit.” The County wants a comprehensive impact analysis to be considered before any changes are approved. It also seeks to have an equal role in negotiations with the City of Barrie.

According to County staff, the total annual County tax revenue of the proposed annexed lands could be as much as $6.5 million and tens of millions in development charges. The area under consideration includes about 11 kilometres of County and provincial roads and key employment lands that support long-term economic growth.

The report notes the goal is to support sustainable growth that is balanced within the County without giving up control to a single city.

The County is calling on the province to extend the deadline for a boundary agreement framework from Sept. 30 to Nov. 28 to allow for more thorough analysis and engagement.

The report also states the County plans to continue working through the Office of the Provincial Land and Development Facilitator in hopes of reaching a cooperative solution with Barrie, but noted that if those efforts are unsuccessful, staff is prepared to present its findings directly to the province.

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