RICHMOND HILL TO DISCUSS CITY’S 2024 BUDGET

RICHMOND HILL TO DISCUSS CITY’S 2024 BUDGET

Budget Committee of the Whole Meetings on November 21, 28 and December 5

(Helen Yang, Red Maple Journal)   November 29, 2023

City of Richmond Hill announced that the discussion of Richmond Hill’s 2024 Budget began November 21. Each year, Richmond Hill’s #39 Budget is made up of the Operating Budget; Capital Budget; Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Budget.

(Budget Committee Meeting of the Whole on November 21, 2023)

Richmond Hill’s #39 Capital Budget outlines the financial needs for growth and maintenance of existing infrastructure, such as community centres, fire stations, pools, parks, trails, arenas, roads and sidewalks. The Capital Budget is funded through Richmond Hill’s reserve funds, development charges and grants.

The City’s Operating Budget funds the day-to-day services residents rely on, such as road repair, fire services, parks maintenance, snow clearing and more. The budget includes the cost of salaries for staff who provide the services, as well as materials and supplies. It is largely funded by tax dollars and user fees, such as charges for recreation programs and planning fees.

The Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Budget funds the work the City does to provide safe, clean drinking water, to provide wastewater service and to manage stormwater infrastructure. Water and wastewater services are funded through water billing and stormwater management is funded through stormwater billing and reserve funds.

The Budget Committee of the Whole, which is made up of all nine Members of Council, will meet three times to discuss the draft 2024 Budget. Meetings are public and can be viewed online or in-person.

Richmond Hill Regional Councillor Joe DiPaola, Chair of Budget Committee of the Whole sincerely invites Richmond Hill residents:

• Follow the budget process, review or watch the 2024 Budget meetings online（https://www.richmondhill.ca/en/our-services/Council-Meetings-Agendas-and-Minutes.aspx）on November 21, 28 and December 5, or attend the meeting in person at 225 East Beaver Creek Road, first floor, Council Chambers.
• Learn the process to speak at a Budget Committee of the Whole meeting about Draft 2024 Budget book ( https://www.richmondhill.ca/en/shared-content/resources/Budget/2024-draft-budget-book.pdf ); how to Appear as a Delegation: (https://www.richmondhill.ca/en/things-to-do/Appear-as-a-Delegation-at-Council.aspx). 
• Review the Budget Committee of the Whole Meeting online on November 21: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLJjT85toPs&t=13s Approved: Draft 2024 Capital Budget in the amount of $102,161,700 that includes project management and overhead costs.
• Review the Budget Committee of the Whole Meeting online on November 28: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KXMRQsxyrg&t=1797s About 2024 Draft Operating Budget: Office of the City Manager, Planning & Building Services and Community Services.
• Stay tuned for the upcoming Budget Meeting on December 5.

As the Chair of the Budget Committee of the Whole, Joe DiPaola consistently advocates for efficiency to reduce costs and ease the tax burden on residents.

During the challenging times of the COVID pandemic, he spearheaded efforts to prepare a 2021 budget with a zero percent tax rate increase, a goal that many believed was unattainable. Thanks to the dedication of the Budget Committee, Richmond Hill now boasts one of the lowest tax rates in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

For the Draft Budget 2024, Joe DiPaola understands the challenge of the rising costs and will lead and work harder together with the Budget Committee of the Whole and city staff, aiming to find alternative approaches and explore sustainable solutions to save cost and curb a steep increase of the tax.

Regional Councillor Joe DiPaola welcomes Richmond Hill Residents feel free to contact him: Tel: 905-771-2498 Email: joe.dipaola@richmondhill.ca  

He encourages Richmond Hill residents’ input and engagement through 2024 Budget Feedback Form at https://joedipaola.ca to share insights on the 2024 budget – Resident voices matters. Please fill out the quick and easy feedback form now to ensure resident priorities are heard and considered in the decision-making process.

Together to build Richmond Hill better and stronger!