Richmond Hill 2026 Budget Insights: Resident Feedback & Priorities

Every year, Richmond Hill asks residents to weigh in on how the City spends tax dollars. This summer, 180 people shared their opinions through the 2026 Budget Survey. Here’s a quick look at what you told us. Watch full presentation here.

Who Took the Survey?

• Most respondents (93%) either live in or own property here in Richmond Hill.

• The biggest group of participants were between 40–64 years old (52%).

Top Priorities for 2026

When asked which services should get the most funding, residents pointed to:

✅ Snow and windrow clearing – always a hot topic in the winter!

✅ Parks and outdoor recreation facilities – keeping our green spaces in shape.

✅ Fire and emergency services – safety first.

Lowest Priorities

On the flip side, the areas people felt should get less funding were:

❌ City festivals and events (especially Council-hosted ones).

❌ Climate and environmental initiatives.

❌ Affordable and rental housing programs.

Housing and Growth

When it comes to housing challenges, residents want the City to focus on:

• Upgrading infrastructure like water and roads to support growth (29%).

• Speeding up approvals for new housing (19%).

• Some said housing shouldn’t be a City priority at all (17%).

There were also strong comments about tackling illegal basement suites, protecting the Oak Ridges Moraine, and finding smarter, more sustainable ways to plan for growth.

Parks, Recreation & Culture

Richmond Hill residents love their parks! The top choices here were:

1. Taking care of existing parks and facilities (like pickleball, soccer, and hockey).

2. Adding new trails and green spaces.

3. Supporting arts, culture, and heritage programs.

Some people suggested partnerships or sponsorships to help keep costs down, while others asked for upgrades like better tennis courts, a cricket field, and more programs for older adults.

Balancing the Budget

We also asked how the City should manage its finances. Here’s what you said:

• Nearly half (49%) prefer cutting or reducing some services to keep costs in check.

• About one-quarter (24%) support a small property tax increase to maintain services.

• Others (18%) said the City could use debt for capital projects.

Some also encouraged the City to find new ways to bring in money — like naming rights, hotel taxes, or public-private partnerships.

What’s Next?

City staff are now preparing the draft 2026 Budget, which will be shared on October 28, 2025. The Budget Committee will review it on November 18, and Council will vote on the final budget on December 10, 2025.