Here are the most asked questions by Barrie residents

Recycling, organics and garbage bins placed at the curb during the winter in Barrie, Ont. (Source: City of Barrie)

Service Barrie staff field dozens of questions from residents, here are a few popular queries from the past month.

New Curbside Collection Program

The City’s new curbside collection program launches in September, using carts for waste and organics.

Residential properties will receive a small 120-litre organics cart with a gravity lock and a large 240-litre garbage cart free of charge starting in June through August, ahead of the program’s start date. The City intends to share the delivery schedule in May.

Businesses and institutions will also receive a 360-litre recycling cart.

Requests for a smaller garbage cart (120-litre) will be accepted between February 3 and the end of March.

“Automated collection is when the driver uses a mechanical arm on the side of the truck to lift and empty carts, without exiting the vehicle,” the City noted.

Recycling will continue to be collected in blue and grey boxes. Changes to the way recycling is collected could happen in 2026.

2025 Tax Bills

Property taxes are billed by the City twice a year - the interim bill and the final bill.

Interim 2025 tax bill instalments are due on February 28 and April 30.

If tax arrears appear on the tax bill it means at the time of billing there was an outstanding balance on the account.

Property owners who have taxes paid through their mortgage company or who are on a pre-authorized payment plan wouldn’t receive an interim tax bill.

“The final bill ​is issued each May and may arrive in mailboxes in early June. The final 2025 tax bill instalment due dates will be confirmed," the City stated.

The final tax bill is issued in May and could arrive in early June.

Late payment charges of 1.25 per cent per month will apply.

Water and Tax Bills Online

The City does not currently have online viewing available for water and tax bills, however, they can be viewed through an online water billing account.

These accounts allow residents to see their payment and billing consumption history, a summary of services provided, their account status, the last payment received, and the option to sign up for e-billing.

Bills amounts are determined by the current rates and water consumption as registered by the resident’s water meter. The City is responsible to electronically read meters regularly.

Anyone not wishing to set up an online billing account can contact Service Barrie at 705-726-4242 to find out how much they owe.