Richmond Hill Parks and Trails Guide
Richmond Hill has 170 parks and 120 km of trails. There’s something for everyone to discover and enjoy, including playgrounds, sports fields and courts, splash pads, skateboard parks, a ropes course, picnic areas, cycling and walking trails and much more!
______________________________________
A Message from Deputy Mayor Joe DiPaola
Council Meetings and Deputations
I was happy to see my motion pass that now allows the public back into chambers during Council. I believe the public’s input and feedback is of the utmost importance. Thank you to all the Richmond Hill residents that take the time to watch and participate in meetings. I am looking forward to seeing you again in person.
While serving as Acting Mayor I wrote the Ontario Premier March 17, 2019 asking for special permission to hold electronic council and committee meetings. I was pleased municipalities were later granted this permission. We have now been operating our council meetings electronically since we were granted that permission.
You now have the option to join by web or in person. I encourage you to join our council meetings through our live audio video feed at: https://www.richmondhill.ca/en/our-services/Council-Meetings-Agendas-and-Minutes.aspx?mid=249
You can access our calendar of upcoming Council and Council public meetings and the process for deputations at at : https://calendar.richmondhill.ca/council/Index?SearchType=Meetings
I am here to help. If you need anything now or in the future do not hesitate to reach out to me at 905.771.2498 or email joe.dipaola@richmondhill.ca
Deputy Mayor
Richmond Hill Parks and Trails Guide
Enjoy the hundreds of kilometers of trails, great parks and unique lakes in Richmond Hill this summer. To find a location near you visit: https://www.richmondhill.ca/en/shared-content/resources/documents/Facility_2016_ParkTrail_Brochure_WEB.pdf for a copy of Richmond Hill’s Parks and Trails guide.
Partnering with residents on a Community Pollinator Garden
I was pleased to be able to introduce a motion, with the assistance of Councillor David West, to introduce Richmond Hill’s first Community Milkweed Garden. Many thanks to Linda Graham for her leadership on this great initiative.
Read more about this project.
Who Does What in York Region
Richmond Hill 2021 Tax Freeze and Budget Details
I have received a number of inquiries about our 2021 Budget and how we achieved the tax rate freeze for 2021 .
Our 2021 budget provides for a 0% tax rate increase and residents will see the impact of this when they begin paying their 2021 taxes over the coming months.
Some residents may have recieved their first 2021 tax installment notices in January .
Interim tax billings for 2021 were sent to many residents this past January. Richmond Hill is legally obligated to collect taxes for the Province of Ontario for Education and for York Region for regional services. The Richmond Hill portion of your tax bill represents only about 26% of your total tax bill. As a result even though Richmond Hill has not increased its 2021 tax rate, your tax installments may be higher in 2021 as a result of increases from the Province for Education and from York Region.
The 2021 interim tax installments mailed out in January are based on the 2020 approved budget. Richmond Hill only bills for 50% of that budget and until the final 2021 tax increases are known for Education and York Region. York Region’s 2021 budget is yet to be finalized. There will be no tax increase to the Richmond Hill portion of your 2021 taxes.
In 2020, our tax rate increase of .73% , was one of the lowest in the GTA. We also provided residents the ability to defer their tax and water bill payments without penalty or interest until January 2021 as part of our COVID relief plan.
In 2020 only 28% of the taxes we collected were for Richmond Hill. The balance we collected was on behalf of the Province for education and for York Region for regional services. Based on an average annual residential tax bill of approximately $6000 Richmond Hill would only retain about $1600 for its own expenses in 2020.
No Tax Rate Increase In 2021
Richmond Hill has delivered a property tax freeze for 2021, achieved in part, by finding approximately $3 million in extensive operating efficiencies across the organization.
No Service Cuts In 2021
The budget maintains all services – there are no service cuts – and in fact we’re working to enhance services through online and self-serve options for residents.
Where We Found Savings
- Savings and efficiencies are due to a new culture of continuous improvement.
- For example:
- – More than $1.5 million in savings through the City’s reorganization in late 2020;
- – savings were realized from technology contracts,
- – administrative efficiencies;
- – reduction of internal programs;
- – efficiencies from the Richmond Hill Public Library.
What About Reserves Contributions and Water Fees?
- The City has not used reserve funds to reach the 0% tax increase and we are continuing to contribute to those funds for the future.
- Rate freeze for water and wastewater services and for the stormwater management rate. Residents and businesses will pay the same rate for water that they’ve paid since 2019.
- Taxes not going up for the first time in more than 15 years
- Richmond Hill receives only 26% of property taxes – the rest (74%) is transferred to York Region and to the Province for education.
What About Recreation User Fees?
Recreation fees were not increased in the 2021.
With this budget Richmond Hill will continue to have the 3rd lowest tax rate in the GTA.
Residents may see increases in their overall taxes in 2021. If so this will be due to any increases coming from the Province for education and from York Region. Both of these are outside of the control of Richmond Hill.
Putting Your Tax Dollars to Work
In 2021, Richmond Hill will keep about $0.26 for every dollar of property taxes we collect from residents. We receive about $0.16 for every dollar of commercial/industrial taxes collected.
The rest of your taxes are sent to your school board and York Region to fund regional services such as public health, social services, children’s services, policing, paramedical services and regional roads such as Bayview Avenue, Major Mackenzie Drive and Leslie Street.
Property taxes pay for a variety of Richmond Hill services residents rely on – fire protection, public libraries, parks and playgrounds, recycling, organics and waste pick-up, snow and windrow removal, local roads, land planning and so much more.
Did you know? Clean drinking water, sewers and stormwater ponds are funded through your water bill.
Here’s how each dollar the City receives from your property taxes is allocated
Richmond Hill 2021 Budget Media Release
For more details on the 2021 Richmond Hill budget go to: https://www.richmondhill.ca/Modules/News/index.aspx?feedId=5988c08a-c0f5-4d51-91e0-9691f68738f4&newsId=5ff27576-f079-4c7d-a7e5-d970f58720d0
Richmond Hill Tax Rate Compared To Other Municipalities
With the third lowest tax rate in the GTA , Richmond Hill residents pay significantly lower residential property taxes than many other municipalities in Ontario based on the assessed value of their house. For example, residents in Oshawa will pay twice as much tax on a similarly priced home as in Richmond Hill.
This chart below shows the tax rate for 35 different municipalities in Ontario . Richmond Hill currently has the third lowest tax rate in Ontario. Residential property taxes are calculated by multiplying the assessed value of a home ((Municipal Property Assessment Corporation – MPAC) X the municipal tax rate . The Ontario Government has announced that the 2020 Assessment Update has been postponed. Property assessments for the 2021 taxation year will continue to be based on the fully phased-in January 1, 2016 current values (i.e., the same valuation date in use for the 2020 taxation year).
Council Approves 2020 – 2021 Strategic Plan
The Council Strategic Priorities 2020-2022 outlined below was approved by Council on November 25, 2020. These priorities were developed with input from more than 800 members of our community who responded to a survey this past September. They will now shape the City’s work for the next two years.
The four strategic priority areas are:
- Balancing Growth and Green
Recognizing the critical balance between economic development and environmental protection, this includes stewardship of green spaces such as wetlands, parks and trails and longer-term sustainability planning and climate action initiatives, alongside decisions that promote responsible economic intensification and prosperity.
Examples of major projects:Official Plan Update; Resilient Richmond Hill; Parks Master Plan; Urban Forest Management Plan; Climate Change Framework; Comprehensive Zoning By-law
- Fiscal Responsibility
Council will endeavour to keep tax increases below the cost of inflation and will avoid unnecessary expenditures in order to emerge from COVID-19 in a strong financial position.
Examples of major projects: Financial Sustainability Strategy; Revenue Generation Initiative; Asset Management Plan; City Transformation Project
- Strong Sense of Belonging
This is a placemaking priority that combines a desire for everyone to feel welcome in Richmond Hill and a commitment to community building in places like the downtown core, Lake Wilcox and the Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory.
Examples of major projects: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative; Age Friendly Community Initiative; Recover Richmond Hill Action Plan; Affordable Housing Strategy
- Getting Around the City
Council will prioritize ease of movement around the city by promoting Richmond Hill’s multiple transportation interconnections, being well-positioned for the Yonge subway extension and improving active transportation networks for cyclists and pedestrians.
Examples of major projects: Richmond Hill Centre Secondary Plan; Yonge North Subway Extension project; Transportation Master Plan
The Strategic Priorities show below fit with our existing Vision: Richmond Hill, where people come together to build our community and Mission: The City of Richmond Hill Council and staff are committed to providing exceptional public service to our community. In the coming weeks and into the New Year, we will be working to align plans, resources and budget to ensure we meet these goals.
Partnering with residents on a Community Pollinator Garden
I was pleased to be able to introduce a motion, with the assistance of Councillor David West, to introduce Richmond Hill’s first Community Milkweed Garden. Many thanks to Linda Graham for her leadership on this great initiative.
Read more about this project.