Stormwater Climate Action Fund

On February 14, 2022, City Council approved the Stormwater Climate Action Fund to help improve the City’s resiliency against climate change impacts, mitigate flooding, protect Lake Simcoe and ground water sources. Starting in 2023, the costs of Barrie’s stormwater program will shift from property taxes to a more equitable user fee.

Background

Climate change will increase rainfall intensities that can lead to costly flooding, increased erosion and negative impacts on natural waterbodies. The City is building community resilience to the risks of climate change and the Stormwater Climate Action Fund is part of those efforts.

Ontario Regulation 588/17: Asset Management Planning for Municipal Infrastructure requires Asset Management Plans that include information about:

• the levels of service that municipalities propose to provide
• the activities required to meet those levels of service
• a strategy to fund activities

The Stormwater Climate Action Fund would serve as a dedicated fund for stormwater assets and associated stormwater management within Barrie.

Stormwater Management & Assets

Stormwater management involves controlling the quantity and quality of runoff that results from rainfall or melted snow that runs off our roofs, driveways and roads rather than soaking into the ground. The City's stormwater management system includes manholes, catch basins, storm sewers, stormwater management ponds, creeks and more—all requiring a funding source to maintain and upgrade (as required).

The City's Stormwater Asset Management Plan outlines measures to support a fully functioning storm sewer system to protect private property, public safety, infrastructure and the natural environment.

Funding Required to Bridge the Gap

Historically, the City has been underspending on stormwater and, even with projected increases, the City is not keeping up with identified needs. The Stormwater Climate Action Fund aims to bridge the gap.

Recommended Funding Model

A Stormwater Funding Study was completed in 2019. The study estimated funding needs, recommended a funding model, and proposed an implementation strategy. A stormwater rate based on impervious area was recommended.

An impervious area is a hard surface such as concrete, asphalt or rooftops that do not absorb water. Water runs off the impervious surface, collects pollutants, and flows into our local creeks and Lake Simcoe. In undeveloped areas, stormwater soaks into the ground and slowly flows into aquifers and waterways. In developed areas, impervious surfaces prevent stormwater from soaking into the ground.

Currently Barrie’s stormwater program is funded through municipal taxes. The current proposal is to move stormwater funding from the taxes to a new funding model—which is something many municipalities have done. This new model will be based on average impervious area for a given residential property type (i.e. detached homes vs. condominiums) and measured impervious areas for non-residential properties (e.g. commercial, institutional and industrial).

Seeking Feedback

Between 2021 and 2023 the City will be seeking feedback by:

• Actively soliciting feedback from staff, Council and the community on the recommended funding option;
• Confirming the desired stormwater funding model details; and
• Supporting the implementation of a new desired funding model (if approved).

Consultation

• Questions, comments or concerns about this study? Please share them with the Project Team in the form below or in the Q&A section.
  
  
• Virtual Public Information Meetings were held on June 3, 2021 and on October 14, 2021. Watch the recordings in the Videos section on the right hand side of this page.
  
  
• Stormwater Fund Advisory Group meetings were held as part of this project, during which the Project Team and key stakeholders will discuss opportunities, concerns, needs, issues and risks related to the project. Key stakeholders were identified and contacted directly in order to participate.