Residents can help set Richmond Hill’s 2016 budget

Interactive budget tool championed by Councillor Chan

Yorkregion.com
Jan. 7, 2016
By Kim Zarzour

Do you care what happens to your Richmond Hill tax dollars and how council spends your money? You can have your say with an interactive online tool newly launched by the Town of Richmond Hill.

The citizen budget tool - at richmondhill.citizenbudget.com - lets taxpayers share their opinions on where municipal funds should be spent, from snow clearing to parks and libraries.

The budget simulator, which takes about 10 minutes to complete, is designed to help residents understand how spending choices affect service levels and taxes. It also provides an opportunity to weigh in on how citizens would prioritize services and spending in 2016.

“The interactive tool is intended to offer greater accessibility to government and encourage transparency,” said Regional Councillor Brenda Hogg, budget chairperson.

Budget deliberations produced fireworks among councillors in recent years. One year passions were so inflamed that a council member pressed a panic button and police were called to council chambers.

Last year’s vote passed by a narrow margin, but public participation in the budget process was minimal and no residents appeared to express concern in council chambers for the 2015 budget vote.  

Godwin Chan, Ward 6 councillor who led the citizen tool initiative, hopes the interactive component will encourage better public engagement by inviting input “at a time and place that is convenient to them”.

Each year, all council members meet over several weeks to lay out spending decisions on services such as road maintenance, fire and rescue services and community centres.

Each spending choice has an impact on service levels and your municipal taxes.

Responses from residents who participate in the online tool before Feb. 12 will be tabulated and shared with councillors as part of the budget process.

The final decision by council will determine 2016 tax rates.

Richmond Hill’s annual budget is comprised of three components: the operating budget, capital budget and water, wastewater and stormwater budget.

Council is meeting through January and February to discuss the 2016 operating budget. It consists of expenses that cover day-to-day activities or operations including utilities, rent, insurance, and staff wages and benefits.

Once approved by council, the budget establishes the annual tax rate.

The 2016 capital budget of $84.5 million and the 10-year capital forecast, a financial plan that addresses growth and maintenance of existing infrastructure such as fire stations, pools, roads and trails, was approved in November. It is funded via town reserves, development charges and grants.

You can view detailed department draft budgets and presentations by visiting the budget presentation page, http://bit.ly/1MSYGUk