Sergio Morales, Barrie Ward 9 Councillor

So happy to see the completion of the Big Dig of Dunlop St in the Downtown Barrie Business Association (BIA) Thanks goes out to the workers of Arnott & Tatham for their hard work on this, Residents of #Barrie for supporting the downtown businesses,... And of course, the downtown businesses who braved through the effects of the construction & pandemic! This investment, both on making the streetscape nicer, but also on modernizing the pipes under the road, will allow our downtown to re-emerge and attract customers and investment as we undergo a COVID-19 recovery!

As Chair of the Finance & Corporate Services Committee, I will be pushing the Committee & working alongside them, staff, and all members of Council to arrive at a zero percent residential property tax increase for the city portion of the 2021 residential property tax rate. Some cities and counties are getting to zero percent property tax increases, or close to it.... Should we also strive to get to zero increase ourselves? Zero tax increases in the past have meant instant gratification in the now while pushing the bill down the road, often at the cost of a higher bill That said, after talking with staff, it appears between a combination of federal/provincial money, lower operating costs while we shut down services, using any 2020 property tax surplus against the 2021 property tax rate increase, and using the dividends we get for our stake in Alectra (aka your hydro company), we might get there in a ONCE-ONLY responsible, sustainable manner. I want to be clear: this is a lofty goal, and it will take a lot of work of this Council working together with one another to get there or come close. I strongly believe it is the right thing to strive for, to show our residents we are in touch with their struggle, our collective struggle, during these times. Wondering what you can do to help in this goal? Email [email protected], and tell us: - How COVID-19 has affected your finances - What a 0% property tax increase would mean to you and your family

Thank you Ward 9 Country Club Estates for welcoming Santa to our drive-by Christmas parade, Big shout-out to Lesley, and all the residents who made this happen from nothing but a Facebook post a few days ago! Also thanks to the Barrie Public Library for contributing over 200+ winter gloves & lip chap, & hopefully inspiring more families to use our libraries... And finally, the neighbourhood’s generosity collected an ENTIRE truckload of food for the Barrie Food Bank! #Vision4Ward9 #Ward9Rocks

Ward 9’s Country Club Estates welcomes Santa!

Ward 9 Country Club Estates’ 1st drive-thru Christmas parade, getting ready to start!