By Laurie Watt

Barrie is already thinking about 2009, its operating and capital budgets, and a tax increase of 3.5 to 4.5 per cent.

The plan, however, includes getting the public involved earlier in the process – so early, in fact, that the city will be looking for public input before Christmas.

“It’s such a sea-change from the way the city used to do the budget,” said Barrie’s Finance Committee chairperson Coun. Jeff Lehman.

For years, city staff has reviewed past budgets, examined city council priorities, worked out the cost of council decisions, formulated a plan and presented it to councillors in March.

Councillors would then discuss the budget and chop items, some big but mostly small, in an attempt to lower taxes. Then the budget would be approved in late March or early April.

However, said Lehman, that system hasn’t been working well.

This year, an array of capital projects are not getting done because they were tendered so late, and costs on others are over budget, partially because of the timing of the tender calls.

The proposed revised budget process has councillors setting goals in the fall, sending staff to work throughout the autumn and then returning to council in early January with the budget.

“We’ll start much earlier so staff can have a thorough process. All the things we ask of staff are worthwhile (regarding projects and priorities), but they do take time,” said Lehman.

Community Services Committee chairperson Coun. John Brassard – who also sits on the Finance Committee – said the new process and timeline will give the public time to ask questions and understand the budget.

“For the first time, taxpayers will not only be in a position to better understand the plan, but will also be able to see the costs associated with the delivery of the services the city provides,” said Brassard.

“It’s important to note as well that 49 per cent of the 2009 budget is expected to come right off the top and be transferred to our service partners, which includes the county and the Barrie Police Service. The finance committee direction to our partners is that they respectfully play by the same rules that the city is in preparing their budgets.”

Meeting the new timelines is important, but the move will make an incredible difference for the city, explained Lehman, and could possibly save money by enabling the city to get better prices.

“(This process) will allow us to get on our projects sooner. We can’t issue tenders until the budget’s approved, and it can be tougher to get a price (in the spring). Prices have escalated by another four months,” Lehman added.

Lehman added construction prices have been rising dramatically this year, partially due to demand, which is also being driven up by the city’s project backlog, as well as neighbouring government initiatives.

The city must also increase its contributions to its Royal Victoria Hospital reserve; the city has committed $52.5 million for the hospital’s expansion, including $40 million for the first phase now underway.

“We’ve been warned by staff there will be significant budget pressures, partially because of past decisions,” said Lehman.

 “Everybody will focus on the percentage. We will have operating and capital budget pressures this year. Even 3.5 to 4.5 per cent will be tough, to even maintain current services levels. A lot of things the City of Barrie buys have had costs rise more than that.”