NEWS RELEASE
COUNTY OF SIMCOE
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On Nov. 26, 2024, County of Simcoe council approved a $962-million budget, which focuses on the resources necessary to maintain existing services and address significant growth in our communities.
The 2025 budget also includes strategic allocations that enable the county to continue to invest in services and assets such as infrastructure, long-term care, paramedic services, museum, transit, affordable housing, the Lake Simcoe Regional Airport, waste collections, economic development, tourism, and enhancements to our road network.
At the direction and approval of county council, residents will see a 3.625 per cent increase (1.625 per cent increase for operating and a two per cent increase for infrastructure and asset management) on the county portion of their municipal property taxes in 2025. This represents an impact of approximately $10.86 per $100,000 property assessment across the region. $224.6 million of the county’s budget comes from Simcoe County residential property taxes and the remaining amount from other revenues and funding streams.
“County council and staff worked hard to limit the impact of this budget on our residents, while ensuring we maintain the ability to meet service demands and infrastructure needs as our communities continue to grow,” said Warden Basil Clarke. “When times are challenging, the demand for county services is greater than ever. As we head into 2025, we look forward to opening more affordable housing units, creating new spaces for those living unhoused, making driving easier and safer across our road network, supporting the environment through waste management and sustainability programs, creating more transit connections, supporting more seniors in need of care and services and creating more jobs as we build up Simcoe County.”
The county maintains a strong financial position having received an AA+ long-term issuer credit rating from S&P Global Ratings, a provider of high-quality market intelligence in the form of credit ratings and research.
While pressures continue, the 2025 budget ensures the county continues to address areas of growth, as well as initiatives directed by council to enhance and maintain critical service levels for the region, support infrastructure, increase efficiencies, and prepare for the future of our region.
The county’s 2025 budget includes key projects to continue building up Simcoe County, including:
- New LINX Transit route to serve south Simcoe communities
- Continued progress at the Simcoe Village campus redevelopment
- A large affordable housing build in Barrie and completion of other sites
- Phased road work on county roads 4, 21 and 22
- A new paramedic station in Waubaushene
- Museum expansion for the C. Matthews Innovation and Transportation Gallery
- Redevelopment of the Bradford West Gwillimbury waste drop-off facility
2025 budget highlights include:
Total county operating and capital expenditures for 2024: $962 million ($694 million operating and $268 million capital)
- Long-term care homes — $188 million
- Seniors services — $12 million
- Paramedic services — $83 million
- Children services — $151 million
- Social housing — $120 million
- Ontario Works — $85 million
- Community services — $30 million
- Transportation and engineering — $89 million
- Solid waste management — $82 million
Attached to this news release is the 2025 County of Simcoe budget overview.
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