York moves to 4-year budget – Planning asks

NRU
Feb. 18, 2015
By Leah Wong

York Region council is in the midst of hearing departmental budget presentations following the tabling of the 2015 to 2018 capital and operating budget January 22.

This is first time the region has presented a four-year operating and capital plan, comprised of the 2015 budget and a three-year outlook. The proposed budget continues the fiscal strategy introduced last year, which builds reserves and reduces the need for debt. It is estimated the region’s reserves will grow by $2.6-billion over the next 10 years.

Staff is asking council to approve a $1.9-billion operating and $826-million capital budget for 2015, with a 3.79 per cent tax levy increase. On average York residents will see an $81 residential property tax increase. The multi-year budget projects tax increases of 3.34 per cent in 2016, 2.94 per cent in 2017 and 2.35 per cent in 2018.

The 2015 capital budget represents the first year of a $5.8-billion 10-year plan. This is down from the $6.6-billion 10-year plan presented in 2014 as the region has deferred some water and wastewater projects in response to slower growth and lower development charge revenues in recent years. While projects have been deferred, preparatory work continues in case the situation changes. The capital budget allocates 70 per cent of the budget to growth-related infrastructure, 28 per cent to rehabilitation and 2 per cent to enhancement.

Funding for the planning and economic development branch is included in the region’s corporate management and governance budget, which will be presented on Thursday.

The branch is asking council to approve a $6.467-million net operating budget, which reflects a 2.5 per cent increase over the 2014 budget. It is also seeking to increase its staff complement from 57 full-time equivalents in 2014 to 62 in 2015.

In January chief planner Valerie Shuttleworth presented the branch’s areas of focus over the next four years to committee of the whole. Long range planning staff will focus on the regional official plan update, creating a response to the provincial plan reviews and affordable housing implementation guidelines. Community planning and development services will focus on the regional centres secondary plan implementation, new community area secondary plans and employment land protection and development. On economic strategy’s plate are the economic development action plan update and implementation and work on office attraction.