The purpose of this report is to make recommendations on the property tax rates, user fees and other matters requiring City Council authority to give effect to the Mayor's proposed budget and the Budget Committee's recommendations, as requested by the Budget Committee. City Council retains authority over these matters, separate from the approval process of the Mayor's proposed Budget pursuant to the Bill 3 amendments to the City of Toronto Act, 2006. 2023 Property Tax Rates and Related Matters: At the end of the budget process as outlined in Bill 3, City Council is required by City of Toronto Act, 2006 to levy the tax rates to raise the amount of tax revenue approved in the budget by enacting a municipal tax levy by-law. The recommendations in this report request the approval of 2023 municipal tax ratios and tax rates arising from the concurrent consideration of the Mayor's proposed 2023 Tax Supported Operating and Capital Budgets for the City of Toronto. User Fees: Historically, user fee adjustments were included as part of Budget decisions. User Fee revenues are still being considered as part of the Budget process and are reflected in the 2023 Budget Notes. This includes final approval of the 2023 interim rates for Solid Waste and Toronto Water that Council has previously approved on December 14, 2022. Under Bill 3, an approval to the user fee adjustments, including new user fees and changes to existing user fees, remains under City Council's authority. Additionally, this report requests City Council's approval to discontinue specific user fees. Fees are generally discontinued because a service is no longer provided, or to transition to a new fee structure. Intergovernmental Funding Support: The 2023 Operating Budget was balanced based on the expectation of continued COVID-19 support funding from the Government of Canada and Province of Ontario with a total funding amount of $932.777 million. In addition, the City is seeking reimbursement for Federal and Provincial responsibilities related to Refugee Response of estimated $96.509 million and Supportive Housing of estimated $48.000 million. This report includes the recommendations for City Council to request the Provincial and Federal governments to provide this funding, and for the City to continue to advocate for the required ongoing funding support. In addition, an annual summary of federal and provincial intergovernmental infrastructure funding programs which are identified in the 2023-2032 Tabled Capital Budget and Plan is included as part of this report. Reserves/Reserve Funds: The City utilizes reserves and reserve funds as a funding source to finance both operating and capital expenditures. This report requests City Council approval for administrative amendments to the City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 227, Reserves and Reserve Funds (“Chapter 227”). The recommendations for creation and amendment of the reserves/reserve funds in this report are designed to align with the current business practice and reduce the manual processes of funds management. Items Pertaining to Previous Council Direction: This report requests City Council's authority to implement a list of items based off of previous City Council direction, including: - Implementation of the Construction Hub Pilot Program - A report back on Income Sharing Renewal Agreement with Toronto Parking Authority - Intergovernmental Transfers - SafeTO
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