Richmond Hill Approves Operating Budget for 2019                       

RICHMOND HILL – Richmond Hill Council approved the 2019 Operating Budget on February 26. The $180 million budget represents an increase of $2.3 million.

“Our annual Operating Budget reflects the services we provide to the community, as well as our priorities and commitments,” said Mayor Dave Barrow. “This budget allows us to maintain service levels, while keeping the tax increase close to the rate of inflation. We are also maintaining the focus on our priorities of sustainability and increasing efficiencies through technology.”  

The $180 million Operating Budget will result in a 2.07 per cent increase to the municipal portion of the total property tax bill. This is equal to a $39.32 increase on the annual tax bill of an average Richmond Hill home valued at $1.1 million. 

Some highlights of the 2019 Operating Budget include:

• Opening of NHL-sized ice rink, new fitness facility and indoor walking track at Ed Sackfield Arena
• Implementation of new programs and activities at the new Lake Wilcox Youth Park  
• Completion of David Dunlap Observatory Woodlot Restoration Project Phase 1 and Phase 2

As well, new staff positions will be added to improve service delivery, including a Parks Technician, Risk and Insurance Clerk, and a Facility Operator for the David Dunlap Observatory. A GIS (Geographic Information System) Manager will be hired to head GIS work at the Town, as identified in the IT Strategy.

“As Budget Chair, I’m proud of the hard work staff and Council have done to deliver a responsible budget and find savings and efficiencies for our residents,” said Deputy Mayor Joe DiPaola. “This is the beginning of our challenge this term to achieve a lower tax rate increase each successive year while maintaining excellent service and I’m confident we will accomplish it.”

Through the 2019 Operating Budget, Richmond Hill is transitioning its Capital Asset Sustainability levy from a flat fee to a percentage, based on the Phased-In Assessment Value of a property as determined by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). The levy funds the repair and replacement of aging infrastructure such as roads, parks and buildings. An average Richmond Hill home will pay $71 for the Capital Asset Sustainability levy.

Council also approved the 2019 Water, Wastewater and Stormwater budgets. The 7.5 per cent increase on water and wastewater takes effect April 1, 2019 and is largely driven by the nine per cent wholesale rate increase York Region charges for these services. The Stormwater rate will increase 9 per cent, effective April 1, 2019.

Quick Facts

• Council increased the Senior’s Tax Assistance Grant to $400 per eligible applicant. Seniors can learn more at RichmondHill.ca/TaxAssistancePrograms.
• Richmond Hill collects taxes on behalf of York Region and the Province of Ontario for education. Approximately 27 per cent of taxes remain in Richmond Hill; 49 per cent goes to York Region and 24 per cent to education.
• Some of the services provided by the Town include garbage pick-up, snow removal, water supply, water treatment, solid waste facilities, arterial roads, planning and growth management, parks and recreation, fire protection and public libraries.
• Some of the Regional services include regional roads, community health programs, social and children's services, policing and emergency response services.
• Richmond Hill Council previously approved the 2019 Capital Budget of $43.9 million on February 11.

Associated Links
RichmondHill.ca/Budget

For more information, please contact:
David Dexter, Treasurer and Director, Corporate and Financial Services, 905-771-2484, david.dexter@richmondhill.ca