Recap: Committee of the Whole Meeting - March 4
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Council Meeting Wednesday March 4, 2026 at 9:30am
Meeting Agenda: Meeting Agenda
Watch Council Meeting: Meeting Video
Recap:
All agenda items were moved to next week's Council Meeting
The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is leading restoration projects in Richmond Hill, including stream rehabilitation, invasive species removal, erosion protection, and natural habitat restoration.
Projects in the Oak Ridges Corridor Conservation Reserve include trail improvements, restoration work, and better signage to help residents enjoy the area while protecting sensitive ecosystems.
Richmond Hill expects to invest about $2.1 billion in infrastructure over the next 10 years, including roads, water systems, stormwater management, and parkland.
Annual capital spending is expected to rise from about $60 million to more than $200 million per year. Changes to provincial legislation have reduced development charge revenue by 15–25%, meaning municipalities must rely more on property taxes, reserves, and strategic debt to fund infrastructure.
The Financial Master Plan is a guide. Decisions on taxes, spending, and borrowing will still be made through the annual budget process.
Agenda Items Include:
Presentation from the TRCA, regarding an update on TRCA Projects and Programs in Richmond Hill
The report confirms that Richmond Hill complied with provincial regulations in 2025 and continues to operate a safe, regulated drinking water system.
This report presents a long-term financial plan to guide Richmond Hill over the next 10 years.
The City is currently in a strong financial position due to years of careful budgeting, low debt, and disciplined reserve management. However, as Richmond Hill becomes a more mature city, it faces rising costs from aging infrastructure, population growth, inflation, and higher construction prices.
Key points:
Operating costs are projected to rise from about $340 million in 2026 to $425 million by 2035.
The 10-year capital plan totals about $2.1 billion, nearly four times higher than historical spending, largely due to infrastructure renewal.
Average annual tax increases are forecast at about 6%, or about 4.2% after growth, higher than the historical average of 2.8%.
The current 1.5% Capital Asset Sustainability levy is not enough to fund long-term infrastructure needs. The plan recommends gradually increasing it toward 3%.
Strategic use of debt is recommended to spread the cost of major projects over time. Total debt could reach about $870 million by 2035, remaining within acceptable limits.
Overall, the plan aims to balance affordability with the need to repair and replace aging infrastructure, using a mix of reserve funding, gradual levy increases, capital prioritization, and responsible debt financing to maintain long-term financial stability.
This report fulfills a legal requirement under the Municipal Act to publicly disclose how much was paid to the Mayor, Councillors, and Committee members in 2025 for salary and expenses.
How to Share Your Feedback
If you have questions or concerns regarding any meeting agenda items, you are encouraged to share your thoughts.
You can send your written comments about agenda items by emailing clerks@richmondhill.ca. Please submit your comments must be submitted by 12 p.m. (noon) one business day before the meeting. All comments will be shared with Members of Council, treated as public information, and will be included on the public agenda posted to the City’s website.
Speaking at the Meeting
If you would like to speak to Council about an item that is on the meeting agenda, you must register in advance with the Office of the Clerk. Registration is due by 12 pm (noon) one business day before the meeting.
You can register by emailing clerks@richmondhill.ca or by using the on-line application form. You may speak in person, by video, or by phone. The Clerk’s Office will send you instructions on how to participate.
