Item - 2020.BU19.1

The Budget Committee recommends to the Executive Committee that:

Rates and Fees

1. City Council adopt:

a. effective January 1, 2021, a 1.5 percent rate increase to the combined water and wastewater consumption rates (paid on or before the due date) charged to metered consumers as shown below and in Appendix B to the report (October 30, 2020) from the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and the General Manager, Toronto Water:

Table 1 - Rate Increase to Combined Water and Wastewater Consumption Rates Charged to Metered Consumers

b. effective January 1, 2021, an increase of 1.5 percent to the water and wastewater consumption rates (paid on or before the due date) charged to flat rate consumers, as set out in Appendix B to the report (October 30, 2020) from the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and the General Manager, Toronto Water; and

c. effective January 1, 2021 the water and wastewater service fees, as set out in Appendix C to the report (October 30, 2020) from the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and the General Manager, Toronto Water.

2. With respect to assistance for low-income seniors and low-income disabled persons, City Council:

a. effective January 1, 2021, set the water rebate for eligible low-income seniors and low-income disabled persons at a rate of $1.2404 /m3, representing a 30% reduction from the Block 1 rate (paid on or before the due date).

3. City Council amend Municipal Code Chapter 441 - Fees and Charges, Municipal Code, Chapter 849 - Water and Sewage Services and Utility Bill, Municipal Code Chapter 851 - Water Supply, and Municipal Code Chapter 681- Sewers, and any other necessary Municipal Code Chapters as may be required, to give effect to these Recommendations.

4. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce any necessary Bills required to give effect to Council's decision and authorize the City Solicitor to make any necessary clarifications, refinements, including stylistic, format and organization, minor modifications, technical amendments or by-law amendments as may be identified by the City Solicitor, the Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer and the General Manager, Toronto Water.

Operating and Capital Budgets

5. City Council approve the 2021 Operating Budget for Toronto Water of $468.824 million gross, $1,415.336 million revenue and $946.512 million net capital from current contribution for the following services:

6. City Council approve the 2021 staff complement for Toronto Water of 1,841.3 positions comprised of 116.0 capital position and 1,725.3 operating positions.

7. City Council approve 2021 Capital Budget for Toronto Water with cash flows and future year commitments totalling $7.597 billion as detailed by project in Appendix 6a to the 2021 Staff Recommended Capital and Operating Budget Notes - Toronto Water.

8. City Council approve the 2022-2030 Capital Plan for Toronto Water totalling $7.188 billion in project estimates as detailed by project in Appendix 6b to the 2021 Staff Recommended Capital and Operating Budget Notes - Toronto Water.

9. City Council request that all sub-projects with third party financing be approved conditionally, subject to the receipt of such financing in 2021 and if such funding is not forthcoming, their priority and funding be reassessed by City Council relative to other City-financed priorities and needs.

Service Levels

10. City Council approve the 2021 service levels for Toronto Water as outlined in Appendix 1 to the report (November 6, 2020) from the General Manager, Toronto Water, titled "Recommended 2021 Service Levels - Toronto Water".

This report presents the recommended 2021 water and wastewater consumption rates and service fees arising from the concurrent adoption by City Council of the 2021 Toronto Water Operating and Capital Budgets.

In order to support the recovery from the impact of COVID -19, this report recommends a 1.5 percent water and wastewater consumption rate increase, effective January 1, 2021, and inflationary fee increases for certain existing water and wastewater service fees, reflecting cost recovery for these services. 

The recommended 2021 water and wastewater consumption rates and service fees will allow the Toronto Water Program to remain fully self-funded and financially stable, with both operating and capital needs being met without excessive year-over-year fluctuations in pricing over the long term.