Title
PRESENTATION CONCERNING THE 2026 BUSINESS PLAN AND BUDGET
Mayor Nuttall provided a presentation concerning the 2026 Strong Mayor’s Budget.
Mayor Nuttall discussed slides concerning the following topics:
• Strong Mayor’s Budget in accordance with the Strong Mayor’s Act and the direction of 0% operating budget;
• Building Barrie’s financial future; and
• S&G Global upgraded Barrie’s credit rating to AAA.
Mayor Nuttall presented the Awards of Excellence to Thierry Rayaisse, Chief Investment Officer, and Michael Prowse, Chief Administrative Officer, in recognition of their outstanding leadership, dedication, and contributions to the City of Barrie’s achievement of a AAA credit rating.
C. Gillespie, Senior Manager of Corporate Finance and Investment provided an overview presentation concerning the 2026 Business Plan and Budget.
Mr. Gillespie discussed slides concerning the following topics:
Strong Mayor’s Direction
• The Strong Mayor Direction; and
• A pie chart illustrating the proposed 2026 Consolidated budget - City Operations.
Operating Budget 2026
• The Operating Budget 2026; and
• A pie chart illustrating the tax supported operating summary;
• A table explaining the 2026 proposed tax rate impact - City Operations; and
• The Infrastructure Investment Funding (IIF).
User Rate Budgets
• A pie chart illustrating the water rate operating summary;
• A table explaining the 2026 proposed net water rate impact;
• A pie chart illustrating wastewater rate operating summary;
• A table explaining the 2026 proposed net wastewater rate impact; and
• A pie chart illustrating the parking rate operating summary.
2026-2030 Capital Budget and 10-Year Plan Overview
• A table explaining what is included in the budget;
• A pie chart illustrating the 2026-2030 Capital Budget; and
• A pie chart illustrating the 10-year Capital Plan: Spending and how it is funded.
Financial Condition
• The financial policies / financial condition;
• The development charges reserve overview;
• Bar charts illustrating the forecasted development charges reserve funds, water rate reserve, wastewater rate reserve and the tax levy reserve;
• A pie and bar chart illustrating the total outstanding debt and total annual debt servicing costs;
• A graph explaining the annual debt repayment limit;
• A bar chart illustrating the forecasted debt;
• The long-term plan of financial sustainability for 2026 and moving forward; and
• Next steps for the 2026 budget.
Mayor Nuttall discussed slides concerning the following topics:
• The 2026 budget highlights; and
• The significant community building projects.
The Committee asked questions to Mayor Nuttall and City staff and received responses.