Item - 2023.BU2.1

The Budget Committee:

1.  Deferred consideration of item BU2.1 to the January 24, 2023 meeting of the Budget Committee.

2.  Requested budget briefing notes as follows:

311 Toronto

1. Request the Director, 311 Toronto, to provide a briefing note on the following:

a. Accountability process for closing the loop from a 311 call (case closing), with definition of a complete call included.

b. Metrics for tracking the quantity of non-emergency calls redirected from 911 to 311.

Association of Community Centres

2. Request the Executive Director, The 519, to provide a briefing note on their unfunded budget requests, including a business case on any of these unfunded budget requests.

Children's Services

3. Request the General Manager, Children's Services provide a briefing note that updates the progress and plans for a childcare centre at the former David and Mary Thomson Collegiate Institute (CI) School Site located at 2740 Lawrence Avenue East.

Corporate Real Estate Management

4. Request the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, to provide a briefing note on the details regarding the additional expected long-term cost resulting from pushing back implementation of emissions-reducing programs associated with reaching the City's Net Zero targets such as, but not limited to, the work currently highlighted within Capital Needs Constraints.

5. Request the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, to provide a briefing note on the detailed estimates for the additional expected costs associated with the ongoing cost escalations and supply chain issues highlighted by the department which have not yet been factored into the State of Good Repair (SOGR) backlog.

Fleet Services

6. Request the General Manager, Fleet Services, to provide a briefing note on the potential savings from a reduction in idling and possible measures to address it ahead of the introduction of an all-electric fleet.

Housing Secretariat

7. Request the Executive Director Housing Secretariat, in consultation with the General Manager of Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, prepare a briefing note on the following:

a. the amount of Housing Access and Supports Services grant funding including funding for drop-ins, homelessness prevention, and housing supports.

b. the criteria by which Housing Access and Supports Services grant applications are considered, including the specific criteria used to award grant applications to drop-ins; and 

c. the number, and amount of, grants awarded for 2022/2023, and the number of contracts signed. 

Intergovernmental

8. Request the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, in consultation with the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat, prepare a briefing note:

a. Outlining the amount of money the Federal government has reimbursed to the City of Toronto for the costs related to sheltering refugees in the City’s system in the last 10 years, and include an analysis of the the timing of those payments compared to when the City incurred those expenditures; 

b. Outlining commitments made by the Federal government related to COVID-19 costs for cities in general and Toronto specifically; 

c. Containing the amount and number of units that have been created through the Federal Rapid Housing Initiative;

d. Outlining the costs of supportive housing units coming on-stream in 2023 and the an analysis of what would happen if the Provincial government not provide the needed funding; and

e. Outlining the monthly costs, and level of government responsible for housing a person in a shelter, jail/prison, hospital and supportive housing unit.

Municipal Licensing and Standards

9. Request the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, to provide briefing notes on the following: 

a. 2023 Funding allocation for the Rent Safe TO program, and rate of increase over 2022 funding allocations.

b. Full description of activities funded through the $3.4 million allocation for Multi-Tenant Housing Licensing initiative, including how the funding will address impacts on current multi-tenant housing residents.

Parks, Forestry and Recreation

10. Request the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, provide a briefing note on indoor and outdoor recreational capital investments for ice skating and cricket, and identify any opportunities to advance their development.

11. Request the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, provide a briefing note on implementation of the Ravine strategy and the Meadoway, including:

a. proposed 2023 operational funding for invasive species and litter removal, as well as student internships;

b. proposed 2023 capital investments, including intergovernmental support; and

c. additional intergovernmental funding required in the next 5 years.

12. Request the General Manager, Parks, Forestry, & Recreation, to provide a briefing note on an estimate cost to complete the design work required for winterizing 25 public washrooms.

Police Budget

13. Request the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, in order to furnish accurate evidence concerning investments in community safety, provide a briefing note on police spending compared to social and community investments, by setting out the net operating budget increase (in dollars and as a percentage increase), for the year 2014 compared to now, for the following:

a. Police Service budget;

b. All housing operating budget spending;

c. City subsidy to the TTC (with and without COVID-19 costs); and

d. Social Development, Finance and Administration budget
 

14. Request the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and the City Manager to consult with the Chief, Toronto Police Service, and provide a briefing note on the required resources, in terms of additional uniformed officers and additional City funding required, for the Toronto Police Service to reach the same level of police officers per capita as each of Vancouver, Montreal, London (UK), and New York City, respectively.

Property Taxes

15. Request the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer provide a briefing note on the estimated revenues from the following revenue tools, which would require Provincial and/or Federal legislative changes or implementation:

a. a 1 percent municipal sales tax;

b. a municipal income tax;

and the equivalent operating budget property tax increases would be necessary to generate the same amount of revenues as each of those revenue tools.

Social Development, Finance and Administration

16. Request the Executive Director Social Development, Finance and Administration, in consultation with the Executive Director Financial Planning, provide a briefing note on:

a. The date the Toronto Community Crisis program was approved and began; 

b. The funding history since inception, including absolute dollars and percentage increases;

c. The number of calls received by the service in the first six months and the number of calls that were dispatched to the mobile teams;

d. The number of follow ups that occurred with clients after a crisis call;

e. The number of community-based referrals made to clients; and 

f. The percentage of the City that is currently covered by Toronto Community Crisis program.
 

Revenue Services

17. Request the Controller, in consultation with the Executive Director, Financial Planning Division, provide a briefing note on:

a. Estimates of potential revenue for a parking levy on paid parking in the City’s downtown, which could be used to finance the TTC’s Capital Budget and Plan;

b. Whether the City has the legal authority to impose a levy on parking in the City’s downtown core during weekdays and during peak commuting hours; and

c. Whether any further analysis by City Staff, in the form of a full report outside of the City’s budget process, would be required to properly answer any issues raised in the parts above.

18. Request the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, to provide a briefing note on:

a. Available estimates on potential revenue for parking levy on paid and unpaid parking;

b. Available estimates on the number of parking spots a paid and unpaid levy may apply to;

c. A summary of potential exemptions for community organizations, non-profits, and faith groups and any impacts on potential revenue;

d. Identification on what information from previous reports would need to be updated for a complete feasibility study of a parking levy;

e. A summary of challenges associated with implementing a parking levy; and

f. An estimate on how long a parking levy may take to be implemented.

19. Request the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, to provide a briefing note on:

a. Available estimates on potential net revenue for an Alcoholic Beverage Tax, as currently permitted by the City of Toronto Act;

b. Available estimates on potential net revenue for an Entertainment and Amusement Tax, as currently permitted by the City of Toronto Act;

c. Available estimates on potential net revenue for a Tobacco Tax, as currently permitted by the City of Toronto Act;

d. Available estimates on potential net revenue for a Motor Vehicle Ownership Registration Tax, as currently permitted by the City of Toronto Act;

e. Available estimates on potential net revenue for Road Pricing (Cordon Pricing), as currently permitted by the City of Toronto Act;

f. The estimated time to implement each of the above revenue options;

g. Identification on what information from previous reports would need to be updated for a complete feasibility study on the above revenue options; and

h. A list of any revenue options not listed that would be allowed by the City of Toronto Act without Provincial approval.

Seniors Service and Long-Term Care

20. Request the General Manager, Seniors Service and Long-Term Care, to provide a briefing note on the breakdown for CareTO by location (current and planned):

a. Timeline with target dates for program expansion, and to which City-owned Long-Term Care locations.

b. Current and planned staffing levels for each location.

c. Operating budget allocated for each location.

21. Request the General Manager, Seniors Service and Long-Term Care, to provide briefing note on the potential impact of receiving reduced funding from the Ministry of Long Term Care to CareTO staffing or program expansion timelines.

22. Request the General Manager, Seniors Service and Long-Term Care, provide briefing note on specific breakdown of major project deliverables for 4610 Finch Ave East, including deliverable description, planned delivery date, capital budget allocation, and explanation for delay.

Social Investments

23. Request the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer prepare a briefing note on the following:

a. The per capita operating budget spending by the City of Toronto for the last 8 years (both before and after adjusting for inflation);

b. The annual increases to, and cumulative investments over the last 8 years in, the following areas:

i. shelters and homelessness prevention and support;

 
ii. parks and recreation; 

iii. operating funding to the TTC; 

iv. cycling infrastructure; 

v. Social Development, Finance Administration; and

vi. Funding and Grants for Culture and the arts.

Technology Services Division

24. Request the Chief Technology Officer, Technology Services Division, prepare a briefing note on:

a. Whether Technology Services is adequately staffed to deliver on expected service standards and planned project timelines.

b. In what areas Technology Services is experiencing vacancies.

c. The impacts of not being adequately staffed on Technology Services' project timelines.

d. A list of specific changes to Technology Services' project timelines, as indicated in Appendix 2 to the 2023 Capital and Operating Budget Notes for Technology Services Division, titled 2023 Affordability Measures.

Toronto Parking Authority

25. Request the President, Toronto Parking Authority, provide a briefing note on the Bike Share program, outlining the potential to expand the program and in particular plans for expanding the program outside of the downtown core. 

Toronto Police Service

26. Request the Chief, the Toronto Police Service, to provide a briefing note on the implementation of recommendations detailed in the Building a Respectful and Inclusive Workplace reports from June 2022, including: 

a. Summary of recommendations.

b. Priority actions and timelines for implementation of key actions/recommendations.

c. Anticipated outcomes and deliverables 2023.

d. Resources dedicated in 2023 budget (Number of staff, dollar amount allocated).

27. Request the Chief, the Toronto Police Service, to provide a briefing note on SafeTO implementation 2023, anticipated actions and dedicated resources, including:

a. Summary of Toronto Police Service commitments and actions under SafeTO.

b. Priority actions and timelines for implementation of key actions/recommendations.

c. Anticipated outcomes and deliverables 2023.

d. Resources dedicated in 2023 budget (Number of staff, dollar amount allocated)

Toronto Public Library

28. Request the Chief Librarian, Toronto Public Library, prepare a briefing note on:

a. The Toronto Public Library staffing, recruitment, and retention plan for 2023; and

b. The current (2022) and expected (2023) vacancy rates across departments, and level of staffing required to support the Open Hours expansion in 2024.

Toronto Transit Commission

29. Request the, Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Transit Commission, in consultation with the Executive Director of Financial Planning, provide a briefing note on:

a. A summary of all the measures implemented in the last eight years to keep the TTC accessible and affordable;

b. A summary of the current status of the Fare Pass and the expansions towards greater eligibility for the program;

c. Information on the City Subsidy over time and the increase in funding year over year; and

d. An explanation of, and any data pointing to, the need for investments in safety measures on the TTC.

30. Request the Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Transit Commission, to provide a briefing note on the potential to offer free transit to seniors, with analysis on whether it would be possible to offer universal free transit to seniors, or to limit the free transit to certain times of the day.

Transportation Services

31.  Request the General Manager, Transportation Services, provide a briefing note on the implementation and funding dedicated to transportation infrastructure, including:

a. Vision Zero and the status of school zone installations; and,

b. Bikeways (cycle tracks, bicycle lanes).

Transit Expansion Division

32. Request the Executive Director, Transit Expansion Division, provide a briefing note on funding for the Eglinton East LRT and Waterfont LRT, including:

a. City of Toronto allocated planning and capital funds;

b. Intergovernmental funding, including remaining PTIF funds; and

c. Full Time Equivalents working on the projects.

Waterfront Toronto

33. Request the General Manager, Waterfront Toronto, to provide a briefing note on the following:

a. Projected 2022 capital spend for all projects, and explanation for delay or underspending for any projects where projected 2022 spend is lower than planned.

b. Potential impacts of the five unmet projects (Capital Needs Constraints) to the Waterfront’s revitalization (impacts to timeline) and ability to attract private-sector investment (economic impacts).

January 12, 2023

The Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services gave a presentation on the 2023 Operating Budget and 2023-2032 Capital Budget and Plan for the Community and Social Services Group.

The Budget Committee recessed its public session on January 12 and met in closed session to consider confidential information on this Item that is subject to labour relations or employee negotiations.

January 13, 2023

The Chief, Toronto Police Service gave a presentation on the 2023 Operating Budget and 2023-2032 Capital Budget and Plan for the Toronto Police Service.

The Chief Financial Officer, Toronto Transit Commission gave a presentation on the 2023 Operating Budget and 2023-2032 Capital Budget and Plan for the Toronto Transit Commission.

The Budget Committee will consider and make recommendations to the Mayor and City Council on the 2023 Capital and Operating Budgets.

The following schedule has been established for the consideration of the 2023 Capital and Operating Budgets:

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Service Group Presentation:

Community and Social Services:

Toronto Fire Services
Toronto Paramedic Services
Children's Services
Economic Development and Culture
Toronto Employment and Social Services
Parks, Forestry & Recreation
Court Services
Social Development, Finance & Administration
Seniors Services & Long Term Care
Housing Secretariat
Shelter, Support & Housing Administration

Agency Questions and Answers only - no presentations:

Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) / Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation
Toronto Public Health
Arena Boards of Management
Association of Community Centres
Exhibition Place
Heritage Toronto
TO Live
Toronto Atmospheric Fund
Toronto Parking Authority (rate)
Toronto Public Library
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
Toronto Zoo
Yonge-Dundas Square

Accountability Officers Questions and Answers only - no presentations::

Office of the Auditor General
Office of the Integrity Commissioner
Office of the Lobbyist Registrar
Ombudsman Toronto

Service Group Presentation:

Corporate Services:

311 Toronto
Corporate Real Estate Management
Environment & Climate
Fleet Services
Office of the Chief Information Security Officer
Technology Services

Agency Questions and Answers only - no presentations:

CreateTO

Service Group Presentation:

Infrastructure and Development Services:

Toronto Water (rate)
Solid Waste Management Services (rate)
City Planning
Municipal Licensing & Standards
Transportation Services
Engineering & Construction Services
Office of Emergency Management
Policy Planning, Finance & Administration
Toronto Building
Transit Expansion
Waterfront Revitalization Initiative

Questions and Answers only - no presentations:

City Manager's Office, Finance and Treasury, & Other Services:

Office of the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Office of the Controller
City Manager's Office
Legal Services
City Clerk's Office
City Council
Office of the Mayor

Friday, January 13, 2023

Agency Presentation:

Toronto Police Service

Agencies Questions and Answers only - no presentations:

Toronto Police Services Board
Toronto Police Services Parking Enforcement Unit

Agency Presentation:

Toronto Transit Commission

This report presents to Budget Committee the proposed 2023 Operating Budget for the Auditor General’s Office (the "Office").

This report presents to Budget Committee the proposed 2023 Operating Budget for the Office of the Integrity Commissioner (the "Office" or the "OIC").

This report presents to Budget Committee the proposed 2023 Operating Budget for Ombudsman Toronto.

This report presents to Budget Committee the proposed 2023 Operating and Capital Budgets for the Toronto Lobbyist Registrar (the "Office").

At its Special Meeting held today, January 9, 2023, the Toronto Police Services Board considered the following 2023 budget request reports:

• Toronto Police Service – 2023 Operating Budget Request;
• Toronto Police Service – 2023-2032 Capital Program Request;
• Toronto Police Service Parking Enforcement Unit – 2023 Operating Budget Request; and
• Toronto Police Services Board – 2023 Operating Budget Request.

The Board approved the foregoing reports and requested that copies of the draft Minutes be forwarded to the City’s Budget Committee for consideration.  The Board also directed that its decisions be transmitted to the City’s Budget Committee and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, to be considered as part of the City of Toronto’s 2023 budget process. 

For ease of reference, below are the substantive recommendations related to this year’s City Budget Process that the Board approved yesterday, with the effect that all four budget requests listed above were approved: 

Toronto Police Service – 2023 Operating Budget Request

(1)  Approve the Toronto Police Service’s (Service’s) 2023 net operating budget request of 1,166.5 Million (M), a $48.3M or 4.3% increase over the 2022 approved budget.

Toronto Police Service – 2023-2032 Capital Program Request

Toronto Police Service – 2023-2032 Capital Program Request

(1)  Approve the Toronto Police Service’s (Service) 2023-2032 Capital Program at a 2023 net request of $16.6 Million (M) and gross amount of $46.6M (excluding cash flow carry forwards from 2022), and a total of $219.4M net and $679.0M gross for the 10-year program, as detailed in Attachment A.

Toronto Police Service Parking Enforcement Unit – 2023 Operating Budget Request

(1)  Approve the Toronto Police Service Parking Enforcement Unit’s 2023 net operating budget request of $51.3 Million (M), a $0.49M or 0.95% increase over the 2022 approved budget.

Toronto Police Services Board – 2023 Operating Budget Request

(1)  Approve the Board’s 2023 net operating budget request of $2,176,800 which is a $207,000 increase over the 2022 approved budget; and

(2)  Approve the 2023 staff complement for the Board of 10.5 positions, which is an increase of 3 positions from 2022.

This report outlines the Toronto Public Health 2023 Operating Budget Submission for consideration by the Board of Health. Toronto Public Health's 2023 Operating Budget Submission is $369,555.4 thousand gross, $159,304.3 thousand net and 2,309.9 positions.

This 2023 Operating Budget Submission is $1,226.3 thousand gross lower, $30,958.5 thousand net higher and 423.9 positions lower than the 2022 Approved Operating Budget as outlined in Table 1 in this report.

The 2023 Operating Budget Submission includes in-year changes, base changes, and a confidential program efficiency pending City Council approval as detailed in the recommendations included in this report.

This report provides an overview of Toronto Public Health's 2023 Capital Budget and 2024-2032 Plan Request.

Toronto Public Health is recommending a 2023-2032 Capital Budget and Plan of $31.466million, including a 2023 Capital Budget of $5.062 million with future year commitments of$10.215 million and future year estimates of $16.189 million. The 10 Year Capital Budget andPlan Request will provide funding for sixteen projects.

At its meeting on Monday, January 9, 2023, the TTC Board considered the attached report entitled “TTC 15-Year Capital Investment Plan, Real Estate Investment Plan Update and 2023 – 2032 Capital Budget & Plan”.

The Board adopted the recommendations in the staff report, as follows:

It is recommended that the TTC Board: 

1. Endorse the TTC 2023-2037 Capital Investment Plan of $38.046 billion, as outlined in Appendix A of this report;

2. Endorse the TTC 2023-2037 Real Estate Investment Plan Update, including the implementation timeline, as outlined in Appendix B of this report;

3. Approve the staff recommended 2023 Capital Budget of $1.253 billion and future year planned estimates of $11.087 billion, for a total TTC 2023-2032 Base Capital Budget and Plan of $12.340 billion, as outlined in Appendix C of this report;

4. Approve the staff recommended TTC 2023 Capital Budget of $88.186 million and future year planned estimates of $62.780 million, for a total TTC 2023-2032 Capital Budget and Plan of $150.966 million for Transit-Related Expansion Projects including the completion of the remaining scope for the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension, the SRT Life Extension Overhaul and Line 3 bus replacement plan; and the Waterfront Transit planning, also outlined in Appendix C of this report;

5. Approve a 2023 year-end capital complement of 2,910 positions, reflecting an increase of 240 positions for capital project delivery as summarized in Appendix F of this report;

6. Renew its delegated authority to the TTC Chief Executive Officer to:

a. Enter into contribution agreement(s), where required, with government partners to receive any net new funding / financing for the TTC’s Green Bus program; and

b. Subject to commitment of matching funds from provincial and/or federal government partners, amend existing and pending contract(s) to increase the eBus procurement quantity and associated infrastructure works in proportion to any additional funds committed;

7. Endorse the TTC’s request to the provincial and federal government for ongoing intergovernmental funding support to address the TTC’s unfunded state of good repair backlog as identified in the 2023-2037 Capital Investment plan, including as priority, to provide provincial and federal matching funds totalling $1.7 billion for the new subway train procurement, and up to $2.4 billion in funding for the requisite Train Maintenance Storage Facility (TMSF);

8. Forward this report to the City Budget Committee and the City Manager as the official 2023-2032 Capital Budget and Plan submission for the Toronto Transit Commission; and,

9. Forward the 2023-2037 Real Estate Investment Plan Update to CreateTO and City Real Estate Management staff for their information.

The recommendations of the Toronto Transit Commission Board as set out above are submitted for City Council approval through the Budget Committee.

At its meeting on Monday, January 9, 2023, the TTC Board considered the attached report entitled “2023 TTC Conventional and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets”.

The Board adopted the recommendations in the staff report, as follows:

It is recommended that the TTC Board:

1. Approve the recommended 2023 TTC Conventional Operating Budget of $2.237 billion in gross expenditures, $1.048 billion in revenues and a net funding requirement of $1.189 billion, inclusive of the $366.0 million TTC Conventional COVID-19 financial impact, as detailed in this report.

2. Approve the recommended 2023 Wheel-Trans Budget of $142.8 million in gross expenditures, $6.5 million in revenues and a net funding requirement of $136.3 million, inclusive of the $0.4 million Wheel-Trans COVID-19 financial impact, as detailed in this report.

3. Request the Provincial and Federal governments to continue to invest in public transit by:

a. Providing relief to offset the financial impacts of COVID-19 recovery, which are estimated to be $366.4 million in 2023, with forecasted impacts expected into 2024 and 2025; and

b. Continuing to work with the TTC and the City of Toronto to develop a long-term sustainable funding model for public transit.

4. Approve a 10-cent fare increase, on adult and youth single fares only, excluding fares for seniors, fair pass riders and all passes, as described in this report and outlined in Appendix C, effective April 3, 2023 generating $16.1 million in passenger revenues, net of PRESTO commissions.

5. Approve a 2023 year-end workforce complement of 16,787 positions, reflecting an increase of 36 operating positions and an increase of 240 positions for capital project delivery, as described in Appendix D.

6. Forward this report to the City Budget Committee and the City Manager as the official 2023 Operating Budget submission for the Toronto Transit Commission.

The recommendations of the Toronto Transit Commission Board as set out above are submitted for City Council approval through the Budget Committee.