York Region Money Matters

NRU
Jan. 6, 2016
By Leah Wong

As of mid-2015 York Region had a population of about 1.16 million and its growth is not expected to slow down anytime soon. The region is projected to reach 1.79 million people by 2041.

To better respond to the needs of its growing population, the region transitioned to a four-year budget cycle in 2015. Last month regional council approved its first update, a $1.99-billion operating budget and a $783-million capital budget for 2016 plus preliminary numbers for the next two years.

Through its budget process council adopted a 2.85 per cent residential property tax increase this year, which is consistent to what was approved last year in its four-year budget. Council also approved updates to the 10-year capital program, which is worth $6.1-billion.

As the region works to accommodate future growth it places an emphasis on transportation projects in the current budget, with significant investments to address congestion. The capital plan also includes water and wastewater rehabilitation projects that will be funded through a new user-rate structure.

To ensure the region is growing in a sustainable way the region is updating three of its long-term plans this year-the official plan, transportation master plan and water and wastewater master plan. Staff in the planning and economic development branch, transportation department and environmental services department are working together to ensure a coordinated approach to growth is taken as these
plans are updated.

Through previous consultations the region heard that residents want to live in complete and walkable communities. As such the region is seeking to improve transit service and provide more options for pedestrians and cyclists. It is trying to determine how to accommodate growth while also providing
necessary services to residents.

York Region’s planning and economic development branch is part of the corporate services division. Council has approved a $9.022-million gross operating budget for the branch in 2016-a 0.85 per cent increase from the 2015 budget. Its 2016 capital budget was approved at $1.197-million and its staff complement increased by two.

Later this year the region will enter into the third phase of its five-year review of the 2010 official plan. It is expected to release a draft ROPA in the spring and an updated official plan-reflecting a recommended growth scenario and updated policies-late in 2016.

Other major initiatives planned through corporate services include designing a development tracking system and researching and drafting an updated development charge bylaw that will be presented to council in 2017.

Looking ahead the branch anticipates requiring a year over- year operating budget increase of 4.28 per cent in 2017 and 2.7 per cent increase in 2018.

The transportation department has a 2016 operating budget of $317.5-million, accounting for 16 per cent of the region’s gross operating budget. This is a $6.525-million increase over 2015. The department’s staff complement has also increased with 22 new positions approved for 2016.

In updating its transportation master plan, the region seeks to manage congestion, increase transit ridership and encourage active transportation. The master plan will reflect the next phase of Viva network expansion and provincial plans for regional express rail. Staff anticipates recommendations being brought to council in the spring.

The region is making significant investments in transportation infrastructure through its 10-year capital program. The transportation department’s portion of the budget is around $2.3-billion and accounts for about 44 per cent of the region’s capital program. The department has allocated $213.416-million in capital funding for 2016.

Over the next four years significant investments in transit will be made in York Region by the federal, provincial and regional governments. Between 2016 and 2020 the region is expected to invest $488-million in transit, with $974-million coming from the province and $132-million from the feds.

The region’s updated capital program includes funding for the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension, which will exceed its original budget of $2.634-billion. The Toronto Transit Commission, which is managing the project, is currently reviewing the budget. York Region is on the hook for 40 per cent of cost overruns. Its $60-million share has been allocated to the York Region Rapid Transit Corporation budget.