David Barrick_ The Visionary CAO Transforming Municipal Governance and Community Growth.pdf

David Barrick, having served as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of both large urban and rural local governments, exemplifies this kind of leadership.

1. David Barrick: The Visionary CAO Transforming
Municipal Governance and Community Growth

Strong and well-managed public services are essential for communities to thrive.
Without proper planning and oversight, critical areas like roads, parks, and
community programs can quickly become inefficient, underfunded, or unable to
meet residents’ needs, leading to higher costs and frustration. This is where
Government Relations Services leaders make a difference. By guiding smart
decisions, coordinating across departments, and engaging with the community,
they ensure resources are used wisely, infrastructure is maintained, taxes remain
sustainable, and services adapt to future challenges. Their leadership turns
complex governance issues into real benefits for residents and job creators.
David Barrick, having served as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of both large
urban and rural local governments, exemplifies this kind of leadership. He drives

2. growth, stability, and long-term success through strong financial management,
transparent reporting, strategic planning, and employee engagement. His
responsibilities include preparing balanced budgets, securing external funding,
fostering partnerships, and empowering staff to deliver high-quality services
while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
Throughout his career, David Barrick has consistently transformed vision into
measurable achievements. At Brampton, one of the largest and most diverse
cities in Canada, he introduced a multi-year budgeting framework that earned an
AAA credit rating from S&P, multiple Government Finance Officers
Association’s (GFOA) Budget Awards, and recognition as one of “Canada’s Best
Communities” by Maclean’s, Forbes’ Top 100 Employers, and ISO 37120
Platinum certification. At the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA), he restored fiscal
accountability and helped rebuild trust with municipal funders. At Thames
Centre, he launched the award-winning “OpenBook” transparency tool,
modernized policies, completed a community facilities master plan, and
strengthened labour relations. By combining fiscal stewardship with innovation
and strategic vision, David has positioned municipalities for sustainable growth,
stronger communities, and long-term excellence. From Budget Chair to City Leader
David Barrick’s path to public service began with a deep belief that sound fiscal
management is the cornerstone of effective governance. As Budget Chair of
Niagara Region, he quickly realized that every municipal dollar must be
accounted for not just in terms of financial return, but also in the long-term value
it brings to residents. This experience taught him to balance the often competing
priorities of community investment and fiscal restraint – a principle that has
guided his leadership throughout his career.

3. After serving in elected office, David transitioned into more senior administrative
roles, including CAO of Brampton. Each role brought unique challenges, yet the
responsibility remained the same: to deliver high-quality public services in a
sustainable, transparent, and financially responsible way. A defining moment
came during his tenure in Brampton, when he introduced a multi-year budgeting
framework directly tied to the city’s strategic plan. This approach gave Council
the ability to make long-term investments while reducing volatility in tax
increases. Before taking the helm at Thames Centre, David had already earned a reputation
for restoring fiscal accountability and implementing innovative budgeting
frameworks in Niagara Region and Brampton.
The results spoke volumes – Brampton earned an AAA credit rating from S&P
and received the GFOA Budget Presentation Award. These achievements reflect
David Barrick’s core belief that strong fiscal discipline is not just about managing
numbers but about building trust, ensuring stability, and creating lasting
community growth.
Strategic Budgeting in Action
One of the biggest challenges David has faced in his career is leading
organizations through periods of financial constraint while still driving
innovation and improving services. As Budget Chair, he managed funding cuts
from higher levels of government by making tough local decisions, yet ensured
frontline services were protected by restructuring processes, reprioritizing
existing resources, and finding efficiencies.
At the NPCA, he inherited a budget under scrutiny and responded by introducing
a transparent reporting framework that helped rebuild trust with municipal
funders. Later, at the City of Brampton and the Thames Centre, he addressed
rising infrastructure costs by securing millions in grants to ease the local tax

4. burden – most notably helping to obtain major funding for Canada’s first
electrification of a transit fleet.
Through these experiences, David Barrick highlights three key lessons:

●​First, fiscal responsibility means choosing the right investments at the
right time with the right funding model.
●​Second, transparency in financial decisions builds the trust needed to
drive change.
●​And third, sustainable budgeting is not just about sound numbers – it
also depends on creating a culture where staff understand and embrace
their role in managing public funds.

5. Three Pillars of Smart Municipal Decision-Making
David Barrick’s approach to strategic decision-making is built on three core
principles:

6. ●​Data-Driven Investment: He uses careful analysis to ensure funds are
directed where they will have the greatest impact.
●​Lifecycle Thinking: David plans budgets for current needs, long-term
maintenance, and replacement costs, including an incremental capital
levy.
●​Public Value: He ensures every investment provides clear benefits to
residents, whether through service quality, safety, or long-term
economic health.
This philosophy has guided his leadership in Niagara Region as Budget Chair,
Brampton’s multi-year budgeting, the NPCA’s operational reforms, and Thames
Centre’s capital project prioritization and dedicated infrastructure levy.
A Model of Financial Transparency and Public Engagement

7. David Barrick takes particular pride in “OpenBook,” a public-facing budget
transparency tool that gives residents interactive access to financial data and
helps them clearly see how tax dollars are allocated. By making complex
information more accessible, the initiative reduced FOI requests, encouraged
stronger public participation in budget consultations, and quickly became a
model for financial transparency.
Thames Centre was recognized for this achievement with a Certificate of Merit for
Innovation by the Association of Municipal Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario
(AMCTO). For David, this recognition is more than just an award – it reflects his
consistent commitment, demonstrated from Niagara Region to Brampton to
Thames Centre, to making fiscal responsibility an internal practice and a shared
public value.
Key Trends Shaping the Future of Municipal Governance

8. David Barrick shares the key trends shaping the municipal sector, including:
●​Rising Infrastructure Costs: Funding gaps are prompting municipalities
to explore innovative approaches to financing and asset management.
●​Data-Driven Decision-Making: Real-time financial dashboards and
analytics are helping leaders allocate resources more effectively.
●​Fiscal Sustainability over Growth: Councils are focusing more on
long-term asset management and operating costs before approving new
projects.
These trends can be addressed through long-range capital planning, diversified
funding strategies, and inter-municipal cost-sharing models.
Reducing Costs, Improving Access
In Brampton, David Barrick implemented a service inventory and
cross-departmental budget reviews to identify overlapping initiatives and
reallocate funds to higher-priority projects. At the NPCA, he introduced
cost-recovery models for certain park operations, which reduced reliance on
municipal levy funding. At Thames Centre, he led the adoption of digital
permitting and payment systems, cutting administrative costs while improving
service access. Across all his roles, he established a corporate Continuous
Improvement (CI) framework to drive efficiency and innovation. Mentorship, Strategy, and Fiscal Stewardship
David has presented at several sector conferences, including the Ontario
Municipal Administrators Association (OMAA), where he spoke on financial
sustainability, multi-year budgeting, and regional collaboration for cost
efficiency. He also mentors emerging leaders on how to integrate fiscal
responsibility into strategic planning and contributes articles to Municipal World
Magazine. In addition, he initiated Brampton Learning Days and Leadership
Panels to support knowledge sharing and leadership development.

9. A Track Record of Recognition
David Barrick’s leadership has been marked by several awards and recognitions
that reflect his focus on transparency, innovation, and strong financial
stewardship:
●​E.A. Danby Award – Recognizing Thames Centre’s transparency and
innovation in municipal administration
●​Led the Thames Centre to be recognized as one of Southwestern
Ontario’s “Best Places to Work”
●​Provincial funding awards for infrastructure based on strong financial
planning and justification
●​Recognition from peer municipalities for restoring fiscal governance at
the NPCA.
●​Led the City of Brampton to receive ISO 37120 Platinum-level
certification by the World Council on City Data (WCCD), the highest
global standard for data-driven decision-making
●​Guided Brampton to be recognized as one of Forbes Canada’s Top 100
Employers (2020 & 2021) and Canada’s Best Communities by Maclean’s
Magazine
●​Achieved a Bronze rank for Brampton’s Innovation District and
postsecondary partnerships at the IEDC’s 2020 Excellence in Economic
Development Awards
●​Secured multiple GFOA Budget Presentation Awards for excellence in
financial management
●​Recognition Awards from both the Canadian Association of Municipal
Administrators (CAMA) and the Ontario Municipal Administrators
Association (OMAA)
Commitment To Collaboration, Innovation, And Long-Term
Excellence
David Barrick has led major government initiatives, securing funding for
Brampton’s second full-service hospital, a new Toronto Metropolitan University
Medical School, a third transit facility, and Canada’s first electrified transit fleet.

10. These projects strengthened infrastructure and positioned municipalities for
future growth.
He also focused on improving city culture and community engagement. During
COVID-19, he enhanced employee communication, built strong ties with unions
like CUPE, ATU, and the Fire Association, and worked with Council to advance
priorities, customer service, and diversity and inclusion through a dedicated
Equity Office. He partnered with community groups to expand arts
programming, reduce costs via shared services, and attract investment without
raising taxes. Additionally, David co-led the Recovery and Prosperity Alliance, coordinating
COVID-19 recovery across the Greater Toronto Area. Beyond local impact, he
actively contributes to the municipal sector through CAO working groups and
memberships in CAMA and OMAA, demonstrating his commitment to
collaboration, innovation, and long-term excellence in governance.
On-Time, On-Budget, and Ahead of the Curve
Through efficiency, innovation, and a stronger workplace culture, David
consistently prepared balanced budgets in all his roles as CAO while enhancing
service levels. He increased reserve funds and helped councils keep tax increases
below inflation. By creating a Project Management Office, he ensured over 90%
of capital projects were delivered on time and within budget. He also secured
millions in grant funding to ease the tax burden and successfully reduced the
NPCA’s operational deficit through cost-saving measures and improved
efficiency. Making Every Public Dollar Work
For David Barrick, responsible leadership means treating every public dollar as
if it were his own – managed with care, prudence, and a focus on long-term

11. value for the community. He ensures compliance by putting in place internal
audits, clear procurement processes, and regular financial reporting to the
Council and the public.
Responsible Leadership as the Foundation for Change
David emphasizes that responsible financial management is key to effective
leadership. As he advises, “Fiscal responsibility is not a constraint – it is the
foundation that allows innovation to thrive. Through responsible public
resource allocation, you build trust and earn the mandate to make
transformative change.”
By carefully managing public resources, leaders can foster innovation, deliver
long-term community value, and gain the credibility needed to implement
meaningful and sustainable initiatives.
Personal Motivation
What drives David Barrick is seeing the real results of careful and smart
budgeting – like a new park built without going into debt, cultural programs
growing through partnerships, or big projects finished years early using grant
money. From Niagara to Brampton to Thames Centre, he has shown that
managing money wisely helps communities achieve big goals, do more with
less, and still stay within their budget. This approach keeps taxes low and creates
a better environment for businesses and stronger community growth.

12. David Barrick’s 5 Impactful Business Mantras
●​Fiscal Discipline Fuels Growth: Make every dollar count while enabling
ambitious community goals.
●​Transparency Builds Trust: Open, clear communication with
stakeholders strengthens credibility and collaboration.
●​Strategic Planning Drives Success: Long-term vision ensures sustainable
growth and effective decision-making.
●​Innovation Thrives on Responsibility: Responsible management creates
space for creative solutions and efficiency.
●​Empowered Teams Deliver Excellence: Engaged employees are key to
achieving organizational and community impact.