Designated by the province as the region’s social services provider, Simcoe County takes care of all land ambulance, long-term care, and social assistance needs. The county provides these mandated services, at provincially established levels, and charges Barrie and Orillia their share of the bill.

It’s a bill that’s been rising steadily, up from just over $20 million in 2005, despite provincial uploading in some services and a move to a 50/50 cost-sharing agreement with Ontario for land ambulance services.

“Coming out of the recent city budget, I thought there was some value in reviewing our arrangement with the county with respect to paramedic services,” said Coun. John Brassard, chairperson of the city’s Community Services Committee.

“I want to make sure Barrie taxpayers are receiving good value for their tax dollars and are not subsidizing service in rural areas of the county or other non-essential services the county provides,” he said.

Brassard wondered whether the city is getting good value for its $5.7 million, which yielded an average ambulance response time of 11 minutes. By contrast, Guelph spent $2.1 million in 2009 on paramedic services, and received a response time of seven minutes.

“The numbers don’t add up, and that’s why I want staff to look into it further,” he said.

“I also want to know if there is some duplication in services between Barrie and Fire Emergency Service and the Simcoe County Paramedic Service that’s costing taxpayers. And if there is, what can we do about it.”

Previously, councillors have expressed concerns about long-term care costs. Last month, Barrie directed staff to examine alternatives to having the county provide long-term care on its behalf.

Brassard added the city should also examine its service agreements for Ontario Works, social housing and the Ontario Disability Support Program because the cost sharing and service delivery contracts are to expire Dec. 31.

“What I’m looking for is for staff to meet with the county to review these agreements as they get close to expiring. I want to know whether Barrie taxpayers are receiving good value and service for their tax dollars and whether there is an opportunity to reduce our costs or explore other funding formulas,” he said.

“There are a lot of dollars at stake here, and I simply want to ensure that the level of service we receive is commensurate with the costs we are paying.

“With respect to this year’s budget, there were net savings (down slightly from $25.8 million last year) as a result of some uploading by the province, but I strongly feel that we owe it to taxpayers to put in our own effort to ensure they are receiving great value and service for what they are paying to the county.”

The motion passed unanimously.