Richmond Hill Invests in the Community's Future

$70.64 million capital budget will fund key infrastructure projects

RICHMOND HILL – Richmond Hill Council approved a $70.64 million capital budget for 2018 that, in part, will focus on the repair and replacement of municipal infrastructure. Along with the capital budget, Council approved the ten-year Capital Forecast to ensure the continued alignment of short and long-term priorities with funding sources.

“Each year our capital budget allows us to pursue a careful mixture of new and replacement projects to ensure we maintain infrastructure and services at the right level for Richmond Hill,” said Mayor Dave Barrow. “This budget provides for large projects such as moving forward with the Civic Precinct and Central Library expansion, along with projects such as a renovation and new displays for our Heritage Centre.”

Some of the significant projects in the 2018 Capital Budget are:

• Enterprise Resource Planning System (integrated finance and human resources software) - $6.5 million
• Bradstock Park Revitalization - $3.2 million
• Road Overlay Program (asphalt repair) - $2.4 million
• Lake Wilcox Boardwalk - $1.8 million
• David Dunlap Observatory (DDO) Park Conceptual Design - $1.6 million

Richmond Hill will also implement energy conservation projects such as replacing interior lighting with efficient LED options at Town facilities to reduce operating costs. The projects will be partially funded by the Federal Gas Tax fund and will be implemented over a number of years.

“We are planning future projects to take advantage of all grant-funding opportunities and specifically of infrastructure grants,” said Local and Regional Councillor and Budget Chair Vito Spatafora. “Our approach will ensure projects are shovel-ready when grants become available. This is crucial as many grants require tight timelines to qualify.”

The 2018 capital budget also includes funding for the next steps of the Civic Precinct project. The Town will hire project management and architectural staff with the expertise to manage all aspects of the project. The Civic Precinct project includes a public square, a reflecting pool/skating rink, amphitheatre, pedestrian promenade and pedestrian plazas along with Municipal offices and an expansion to the Central Library. It is projected to be completed in 2026.    

Council and staff will now turn towards reviewing the 2018 Operating Budget. A public information session will be held at the Central Library on Saturday, January 20, 2018. Budget Committee of the Whole meetings to review the Operating Budget will take place in January and February.

For more information about the 2018 Capital Budget or Operating Budget, including the dates of upcoming Budget Committee meetings, visit RichmondHill.ca/Budget.    

Backgrounder: Richmond Hill 2018 Capital Budget

Richmond Hill’s annual Budget is comprised of two components, the Capital Budget and the Operating Budget.

Capital Budget
Richmond Hill’s Capital Budget consists of expenses for assets or infrastructure that are typically long-term in nature such as information technology systems, land, buildings, roads, pipes and other equipment in excess of $5,000. The Capital Budget is funded through Richmond Hill reserve funds, development charges and grants.

Operating Budget 
Richmond Hill's Operating Budget consists of expenses that cover day-to-day activities or operations, including items such as utilities, rent, insurance, staff wages and benefits, program supplies, transportation and repairs. It also includes revenues received from taxes, fees and other sources like program registrations. With approval from Council, the Operating Budget establishes the annual tax rate.

Starting in January, the Budget Committee of the Whole (comprised of Council) reviews each department’s budget. Once all of the budget submissions are reviewed and new items are considered, a consolidated budget is presented.

Combined these budgets provide for the Town’s ability to provide services to the community of more than 214,100 residents and 4,643 businesses.

Significant Projects

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System (integrated finance and human resources software) - $6.5 million

• Richmond Hill’s financial and talent management systems are outdated and inefficient, requiring predominantly manual processes which increase the chances of errors.
• An ERP solution will provide integrated, synchronized, real-time data to run business processes and identify areas for improvements. It will enhance data consistency throughout the organization and can improve customer service as well as save time.
• In 2018, the project will enter the implementation phase. 

Bradstock Park Revitalization - $3.2 million

• Some facilities within Bradstock Park will be upgraded or replaced to meet current demands. Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2018.
• The park’s design will be inspired in part by Bradstock Park’s emphasis on activity and play. It will express the magic of a kaleidoscope.

Road Overlay Program (asphalt repair) - $2.4 million

• Richmond Hill is increasing the amount it spends on asphalt repair in 2018 to $2.4 million. This will help ensure roads are maintained to an appropriate level.
• The level of funding is expected to increase in 2019 to $3.7 million and in 2020 to $5 million.  

Lake Wilcox Boardwalk - $1.8 million

• Consistent with the Lake Wilcox Master Plan, the wood and steel boardwalk with seating and decorative themed railings will be 130 metres long and 3 metres wide and will project out into Lake Wilcox bringing residents close to the water.  

David Dunlap Observatory (DDO) Park Conceptual Design - $1.6 million

• The DDO Park includes the 40 hectares (approximately 100 acres) of land that was protected from development.
• The DDO Park Master Plan sets out a vision for the future enhancement, management and programming of the DDO Park. The Master Plan was developed through a process that involved extensive public consultation and was approved by Council on September 26, 2016.
• The 2018 capital budget funds the development of the overall Conceptual Design for the DDO Park.

2018 Capital Budget Funding Sources

The $70.64 million Capital Budget is funded through Richmond Hill's reserve funds, development charges and grants.