Item - 2021.EC19.2

The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council adopt and certify the 2021 recommended Operating Budgets and Levy requirements of the following Business Improvement Areas:

This report brings forward Business Improvement Area (BIA) annual Operating Budgets for approval by City Council as required by the City of Toronto Act, 2006. City Council approval is required to permit the City to collect funds through a special tax levy on the commercial and industrial properties within the respective BIA boundaries.

There are currently 84 established BIAs in the City of Toronto. The approval by City Council of the 2021 Operating Budgets for 84 BIAs takes multiple phases. City Council previously approved the 2021 Operating Budgets for 23 BIAs through Report 1 (Item 2020.EC18.11) at its meeting on December 16, 17, and 18, 2020. Included in this Report 2 are the 2021 Operating Budgets for 21 BIAs for City Council approval.

The recommendation in this report reflects the Board-adopted 2021 Operating Budgets by the respective BIAs' Boards of Management and General Membership. Complete budgets and supporting documentation have been reviewed by City staff to ensure that the 2021 Operating Budgets for BIAs reflect Council's approved policies and practices.

Two COVID-19 related themes emerge in these budget submissions: a number of BIAs are specifically attempting to reduce financial demands on their memberships and a number of BIAs are exercising caution by postponing festivals and events.