Barrie city councillors met Wednesday night to discuss next year’s budget. There will not be a tax increase for city operations, though you’ll see a two per cent bump for infrastructure, as well as increases to water and wastewater rates. The city has had discussions with police and the library, both budgets are increasing, library services by two per cent and the biggest jump is for policing at an eight per cent increase. Mayor Alex Nuttal says much of that comes in the wake of the state of emergency over homelessness. The mayor is also responding to the new provincial ban on speed cameras. They will be replaced with flashing speed signs across the city before the deadline to turn the cameras off at the end of next week. Barrie is asking the province for $5 million for traffic calming to replace the cameras. We’re still waiting to hear from other services – health and fire particularly – it’s not clear yet exactly how much more you’ll pay for each. The budget is expected to be approved by the middle of next month.
