Barrie’s budget talks begin in earnest on January 18th, with the possibility of deliberations spreading out over three days. 

Barrie Community Media spoke with Mayor Jeff Lehman about key aspects of the city's budget. 

In a year that saw massive cuts to the city's funds through lost revenues, Lehman says his top priority will be finding a way to lower the proposed 3.9 percent property tax increase. 

As well, after a year in which systemic racism in policing came under the microscope, members of the public are calling for a halt to year after year funding hikes for the Police.

"If you leave the budget at zero, and say you're not going to provide any additional capacity, then the existing capacity has to do more," said Lehman. 

Barrie City Council cannot reject the police budget, only suggest changes. However significant public opposition to a budget hike is clear: a recent city of Barrie budget survey shows 63 percent of Barrie residents support a 5 percent reduction to the budget. 

Chief Kimberley Greenwood presented a 2.65 percent increase to the budget this year, with new capital costs including a revamped 911 system and additions to the fleet of cruisers. The force's operating budget is over 75 percent of salaries and benefits, however, this year the force is adding no new members -- spots open for officers will not be filled. 

Mayor Lehman said that while he supports a systemic review of the service and call diversion initiatives, he'd like to see social service capacity built up before funds are diverted from the police budget. He said he'll do that through the Barrie Health Accord.

The Barrie Health accord, said Mayor Lehman, is an initiative between the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, the Barrie Police Service, the County of Simcoe and the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH).  According to Lehman, this initiative focuses on "moving funding upstream to address the root causes of why emergency services are so busy." 

The Conversation on Barrie's budget continues. This week, we'll be bringing on more people to discuss the Barrie Police Budget in particular.