November 6, 2015
The 2016 Staff Recommended Rate Supported Operating and Capital Budgets for the City of Toronto's Solid Waste Management Services, Toronto Water and Toronto Parking Authority were presented at the City's Budget Committee today.
"The proposed budgets presented today focus on repairing, maintaining and enhancing the city's aging infrastructure while also protecting public health, safety and property," said Councillor Gary Crawford (Ward 36 Scarborough Southwest), Chair of the City's Budget Committee. "This is the responsible way forward that delivers the best services for the people of Toronto for the lowest cost."
The Solid Waste Management Services budgets support the goal of providing innovative, efficient waste management to residents, businesses and visitors, promoting waste diversion and maintaining a clean city. The proposed operating budget of $389.01 million includes a 3% increase on all rates and user fees. This recommendation, which will generate approximately $8.41 million, will be dedicated to both current and future capital expenditures, including the implementation of the Long Term Waste Management Strategy.
The increase will balance fiscal constraints and maintain critical progress on waste diversion initiatives, operational improvements and capital investments in state of good repair. In 2016, a recommended capital budget of $96.51 million is being proposed for Solid Waste Management Services. The 2016-2025 Capital Plan (10-Year Recommended Capital Plan) includes required funding of $1.06 billion.
Toronto Water's rate supported budgets will ensure that the City can continue to provide quality drinking water and wastewater services while dealing with the impact of extreme storms, aging infrastructure and the need to provide ongoing customer service enhancements. The proposed budget recommends an 8% water rate increase for 2016. The rate increase is part of a planned, multi-year budget and infrastructure renewal program, and is expected to generate an estimated $1.158 billion in revenue to fund these needs.
The recommended Toronto Water operating budget for 2016 is $1.158 billion, including operating costs of $439 million and a capital contribution of $719 million. The 2016 proposed capital budget is $849 million, which will bring the 2016-2025 Capital Plan to $11.15 billion. This will allow the City to invest in water and sewer main replacement and rehabilitation; continuous enhancements to the City's drinking water and wastewater treatment plants; ongoing basement flooding remediation; the Wet Weather Flow Master Plan; and improved customer service response.
Over the past several years, both Solid Waste Management Services and Toronto Water have achieved significant milestones while maintaining progress toward critical waste diversion and infrastructure renewal goals. These milestones and key priorities for the 2016 Budget are outlined in accompanying backgrounders at the link below.
The recommended 2016 Operating and Capital Budgets for the Toronto Parking Authority (TPA) are aimed at satisfying the parking needs of many businesses and communities in Toronto. Approximately 49 cents of every Green P parking revenue dollar is returned to the City by way of the dividends and property taxes it pays. In 2016, the TPA expects to generate approximately $52 million in net revenues for the City, of which 75% will support general City services and the remaining 25% will help fund TPA capital requirements.
The TPA's proposed 2016-2025 Capital Budget and Plan, with anticipated capital expenditures of $378 million (excluding carryover projects of $17 million), focuses on balancing infrastructure renewal needs for state of good repair, service improvement and growth to meet a forecasted demand for off-street parking. Funding for approximately 40 new carparks, the expansion of three existing carparks, the redevelopment of another 14 carparks across the city, the greening of six existing carparks through its Green P Plus program, and the continued roll-out of the mobile payment app are included in the capital plan. The TPA capital plan also includes $4.9 million for the expansion and refurbishment of the Bike Share Toronto program.
Budget Committee continues on November 13, followed by a wrap-up meeting on November 24. Executive Committee will then consider these budgets on December 1 and Toronto City Council will consider the budgets for approval on December 9 and 10. Backgrounders, analyst notes and other materials are available at
http://www.toronto.ca/budget2016.
Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. Toronto's government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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Media contacts:
Solid Waste Management Services: Pat Barrett, Strategic Communications, 416-392-4716, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Toronto Water: Lyne Kyle, Strategic Communications, 416-392-8259, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Toronto Parking Authority: Lorne Persiko, President, 416-393-7294, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
