Budget

Richmond Hill's annual budget is made up of the following: Operating Budget, Capital Budget and Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Budget. 

Operating Budget

Richmond Hill's 2017 Operating Budget is $161.99 million. This was approved at a Special Council Meeting on February 28, along with the 2017 capital asset sustainability fee, which increased to $30 in 2017. For more information, please view the budget news release: Community Safety at the Top of Richmond Hill's Budget Priority List.  

2017 Operating Budget Frequently Asked Questions

How is the $161.99 million Operating Budget divided?

What are the funding sources for the Operating Budget?

Why does Richmond Hill need a capital sustainability levy?

Richmond Hill has reserve funds to pay for the repair and replacement of Municipal infrastructure, including local roads and sidewalks, parks and trails, community centres, arenas and libraries. As our buildings, roads and other infrastructure continue to age, the cost to maintain them to an appropriate and safe standard will continue to increase. In the past few years, Richmond Hill has needed to spend more to maintain infrastructure than it has contributed to the funds. The levy for 2017 is $30 per tax account.

Why have Richmond Hill's water rates gone up?

All properties in Richmond Hill are billed for water supply and wastewater services. Both services are billed based on the metered water consumption, as water meters are engineered to be extremely accurate. The 9% increase to the water and wastewater rates is driven by the rate charged to Richmond Hill by the Region of York. The Town is required to recover the costs for this charge.

Why do we need eight new firefighters?

Richmond Hill's newly adopted Fire Master Plan identified a need to increase the Town's total firefighter positions in order to meet best practice standards as set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Eight additional firefighters are required to staff Richmond Hill's only Fire Rescue truck. The Fire Rescue truck is housed at Station 8-1 and attends all Technical Rescue incidents, Significant Vehicle Accidents and all fire calls.

How are residential property taxes divided?

Richmond Hill accounts for only about a quarter of the tax bill as received by residents. The residential tax bill is divided as follows:  Richmond Hill             28% of property taxes Region of York            49% of property taxes School Boards             23% of property taxes

What are some of the service-related projects for Richmond Hill in 2017?

The 2017 Operating Budget supports important projects like the Farmer's Market, Downtown Secondary Plan, Canada 150 celebrations, David Dunlap Observatory programming and the Civic Precinct Project.

Discussion of the Operating Budget took place at these meetings, where Departmental draft budgets were presented: 

Budget Committee of the Whole - Tuesday, January 24 at 1 p.m.

• Draft 2017 Operating Budget Overview and Presentation
• Public Library Board - 2017 Draft Operating Budget and Presentation
• Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Management Services - 2017 Draft Operating Budget and Presentation

Budget Committee of the Whole - Tuesday, January 31 at 1 p.m.

• Community Services - 2017 Draft Operating Budget and Presentation
• Environment and Infrastructure Services - 2017 Draft Operating Budget and Presentation
  

Budget Committee of the Whole - Tuesday, February 7 at 1 p.m.

• Corporate and Financial Services - 2017 Draft Operating Budget and Presentation
• Planning and Regulatory Services - 2017 Draft Operating Budget and Presentation
• Office of the Chief Administrative Officer - 2017 Draft Operating Budget and Presentation
• Corporate Accounts - 2017 Draft Operating Budget and Presentation

Budget Committee of the Whole - Tuesday, February 14 at 1 p.m.

• Discussion of Motions submitted by Members of Budget Committee with February 14 Budget Presentation

If you require a budget document in an alternate format, please call Financial Services at 905-747-6454.

A Public Information Session was held at the Central Library, 1 Atkinson Street, on Saturday, January 21 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The Mayor, Members of Council and staff were present to discuss the Operating Budget. You can share your thoughts and suggestions about the 2017 Operating Budget via email at budget@richmondhill.ca or by calling 905-771-8800, extension 3685 or 3656. 

Special Council Meeting - Tuesday, February 28 at 1 p.m.

• Council will review, amend if necessary and approve the final 2017 Operating Budget
• Special Council Meeting Presentation

Learn how Richmond Hill's budget works: 

Richmond Hill's Operating Budget covers the costs of everyday operations and activities, including:

• utilities
• rent
• insurance
• staff wages and benefits
• program supplies
• transportation
• repairs

Funds for the Operating Budget come from taxes, fees and other items, such as program registrations.

The Operating Budget also determines the annual tax rate. Council approves the tax rate.

Capital Budget

Richmond Hill's 2017 Capital Budget is $61.8 million. The budget was approved at a Council meeting on November 28, 2016. The Capital Budget also includes a financial plan (10-year Capital Forecast). It outlines the financial needs for growth and maintenance of existing infrastructure, such as:

• community centres
• fire stations
• pools
• parks
• trails
• arenas
• roads
• sidewalks

Our Capital Budget is funded through Richmond Hill's reserve funds, development charges and grants.

Discussion of the Capital Budget took place at these meetings: 

October 26 Business Community Information Session - Presentation

November 1 Budget Committee of the Whole

• Meeting Information including Agenda and Staff Reports
• Capital Budget and Ten-Year Forecast Presentation
• Bocce Facility Repurposing Feasibility Presentation

November 15 Budget Committee of the Whole

• Meeting Information

2017 Draft Capital Budget

Table of Contents:
Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) - 2017 Draft Capital Budget
Environment & Infrastructure Services - 2017 Draft Capital Budget
Community Services - 2017 Draft Capital Budget
Corporate & Financial Services - 2017 Draft Capital Budget
Planning & Regulatory Services - 2017 Draft Capital Budget
Richmond Hill Library - 2017 Draft Capital Budget

September 20, 2016 Special Council Meeting - 2017 Draft Capital Budget and Ten-Year Capital Forecast

• Capital Planning Education and Training Workshop Presentation
• 2017 Draft Capital Budget and Ten-Year Capital Forecast and Funding Sources
• Significant Projects in the Ten-Year Capital Forecast (Map)
• Changes to the Ten-Year Capital Forecast

Taxes

Richmond Hill collects taxes on behalf of York Region and the Province of Ontario for education. Only about one quarter of your tax bill pays for Richmond Hill services. Tax amounts are approximate and updated once York Region and the Province of Ontario approve their final tax rates each year.

Richmond Hill receives about $0.27 for every dollar of municipal taxes collected from a residential homeowner. We receive about $0.13 for every dollar of commercial taxes collected.

For more information, view our property tax page.

Property assessments

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) completes property assessments in Ontario. Every municipality uses these assessments to apply local tax rates on your tax bill.

Richmond Hill's Finance department is responsible for calculating, consolidating, billing and collecting municipal taxes from property owners in Richmond Hill. This includes residential and non-residential property owners.