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City of Toronto launches rate supported budgets for Solid Waste Management Services, Toronto Water and Toronto Parking Authority 2017

November 4, 2016 
 
The City of Toronto's 2017 staff recommended rate supported operating and capital budgets for Solid Waste Management Services, Toronto Water and the Toronto Parking Authority were presented at the City's Budget Committee today. 
 
"The proposed budgets presented today focus on repairing and sustaining Toronto's aging infrastructure while supporting the city's growth and development," said Rob Rossini, Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer. "This is the responsible way to move forward and deliver high-quality services for the people of Toronto and strengthen efforts to create a more resilient city." 
 
The Solid Waste Management Services budgets support the goal of providing effective, efficient waste management services to residents, businesses and visitors, promoting waste diversion and maintaining a clean city. The proposed operating budget of $378.3 million, plus a contribution to the capital reserve of $25.3 million to support the capital program, includes a 3.9 per cent blended rate increase for rates and user fees, effective January 1, 2017. In a blended rate scenario, increases vary based on customer group. Differential rates per customer allow for greater financial sustainability and for full cost recovery by customer type. 
 
Proposed rate increases for 2017 and the next five years are part of a multi-year rate plan to support the long-term financial requirements of the Solid Waste Management Services division. The 2017-2027 Capital Plan (10-Year Recommended Capital Plan) includes required funding of $668.8 million. 
 
Toronto Water's rate supported budgets will ensure that the City can continue to provide quality drinking water and wastewater services while dealing with the impact of extreme storms, aging infrastructure and the need to provide ongoing customer service enhancements. 
 
The proposed budget recommends a 5 per cent water rate increase for 2017. The rate increase is part of a planned, multi-year budget and infrastructure renewal program, and is expected to generate an estimated $1.23 billion in revenue. This includes operating costs of $443 million and a $789 million contribution to the capital reserve, which will help to fund future construction projects. 
 
The 2017 proposed capital budget for Toronto Water is $859 million. It will bring the 10-year Capital Plan to $12.2 billion, which will allow the City to continue to invest in water and sewer mains upgrades, as well as enhancements to the drinking water and wastewater treatment plants. It will also help fund ongoing basement flooding remediation, efforts to improve the quality of stormwater released into Toronto's waterways, and customer service response. 
 
The recommended 2017 operating and capital budgets for the Toronto Parking Authority (TPA) are aimed at satisfying the parking needs of many businesses and communities in Toronto. Approximately 50 cents of every Green P parking revenue dollar is returned to the City by way of the dividends and property taxes it pays. In 2017, the TPA expects to generate approximately $63 million in net revenues for the City, of which 75 per cent will support general City services. The remaining 25 per cent will help fund TPA capital requirements.
 
The TPA's proposed 2017-2026 Capital Budget and Plan, with anticipated capital expenditures of $548 million, focuses on balancing infrastructure renewal needs for state of good repair, service improvement and growth to meet anticipated demand for off-street parking. Funding for approximately 44 new carparks, the expansion of two existing carparks, the redevelopment of another 13 carparks across the city and the greening of various existing carparks through its Green P Plus program are included in the capital plan.
 
Budget Committee continues its deliberations on the City's rate-supported budgets on November 18, followed by a wrap-up meeting on November 28. Executive Committee will consider these budgets on December 1 and Toronto City Council will consider them for approval on December 13 and 14. 
 
A backgrounder for the Solid Waste Management Services and Toronto Water budgets is available at http://bit.ly/2fk6v0n.
 
Budget notes and other materials are available at http://www.toronto.ca/budget2017. 
 
This news release is also available at the City's website: http://bit.ly/2fn0Swq
 
Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. Toronto's government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
 
 - 30 - Media contacts: 
 
Solid Waste Management Services: Pat Barrett, Strategic Communications, 416-392-4716, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Toronto Water: Lyne Kyle, Strategic Communications, 416-392-8259, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Toronto Parking Authority: Lorne Persiko, President, 416-393-7294, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.