Mathieu Goetze, Acting Chief Administrative Officer, provided an introduction to the presentation, a copy of which is attached to the agenda. Wayne Steffler, Commissioner, Corporate Services/Chief Financial Officer, expanded on the financial dimensions and budget process more broadly and steps taken to reach Council-established guidelines.
Connie MacDonald, Commissioner, Resident Experience, Strategy and Communications, provided information on community engagement conducted for the 2026 budget. She elaborated on the events and meetings attended by staff, in addition to social media and online outreach.
Nicole Neil, Director, Corporate Finance, provided an overview of changes in property assessment, as well as more information on the tax supported operating budget position. She elaborated on the tax stabilization reserve status, and the staff recommended motion to contribute a surplus to the reserve.
In reply to a question from the Committee, M. Goetzke provided greater clarification for where the rideshare fee is allocated. N. Neil provided more information on how the taxi script program is being impacted by the proposed budget.
Responding to a question from the Committee, N. Neil provided further clarity to the relationship between the Waterloo Regional Police Services budget and the Regional Council budget.
In response to a question from the Committee, N. Neil confirmed there is no changes to the capital plan which will change the levy increase, and that the only amount which can be changed is the contribution to reserves. In the preliminary budget, N. Neil indicated staff can provide breakdown on each project, in terms of what's funded by debt, reserves, and other sources for next couple of years. Staff indicated they could re-circulate a more detailed breakdown of the closing balances for each reserve account, with a potential to look at future balance proposals.
Replying to a question from the Committee, N. Neil provided further clarity to facilities costs outlined within the budget, highlighting reasons for general increases. She elaborated on the life-cycle reserve amounts being addressed for savings.
In reply to a question from the Committee, Doug Spooner, Acting Commissioner, Transportation Services, provided further clarity on the taxi script allotment. He elaborated on Council's ability to use projected revenue to allocate for this budget year, such as for accessibility and rideshare fees.
In response to a question from the Committee, D. Spooner spoke to digital advertising, with considerations for exclusivity which can be looked at in addition to other contract opportunities.
Replying to a question from the Committee, Peter Sweeney, Commissioner, Community Services spoke to the ability to provide for a municipal housing corporation, indicating that staff would prefer to look at a host of alternatives.
Responding to questions, C. MacDonald answered that a contract is in place for bulky item pickup, with fairly static costs for delivery, and thus going down further is not expected to reduce cost much. Reducing to monthly pick-ups is expected to reduce costs, but not with less frequency than monthly. Olivia Kwok, Director, Waste Management, indicated that staff could come back with information on the cost per household for this service.
In reply to a question from the Committee, N. Neil indicated that vehicle replacement was looked at, and added that what is recommended is the Region maintain the assumed dates for vehicle life, in order to stay on top of increased maintenance costs. Aaron Moss, Director, Facilities & Fleet Management, confirmed that the Region looks at all vehicles, compiling lists each year for which need to be addressed for maintenance. Staff indicated they can report back with more information on the different types of vehicles, their quantity and what the standard end-of-life dates are.
In response to a question from the Committee, Terry Yantzi, Director, Information Technology Services/Chief Information Officer, answered that post-Covid there were extended device lives, which is resulting in higher maintenance costs. He added that staff do try to extend these device lives where possible, though there are considerations for the impact on cyber security and insurance.
Replying to questions, C. MacDonald indicated that staff is currently putting together its long-term waste management strategy, which includes an updated life of current landfill. She added that more information will be brought back regarding the waste cells and their operation, as well as their capacity over the next 20 years.
Responding to a question from the Committee, Rod Regier, Commissioner, Planning, Development & Legislative Services, clarified that municipal property for Region of Waterloo airport operations are not included in municipal property tax assessment, but private sector tenants do pay taxes.
Staff indicated they could provide more information on peak service availability for specific route potions that may be reduced in the 2026 budget.
In reply to a question from the Committee, D. Spooner spoke to options regarding all-door boarding that are currently being explored.
Responding to questions, D. Spooner spoke to various transit and transportation projects and updates that may be able to be delayed impacting the 2026 budget, and indicated staff could come back for more information.
In response to questions, D. Spooner indicated that staff can report back with the impacts of delays regarding the operating terminal for southwest Kitchener. He added that, in terms of delaying or phasing the project, the site has been identified and staff would need to look into the impacts of delaying that project as well as the upgrading of transit technology.
Responding to questions from the Committee, Kate Konopka, Commissioner, Human Resources, spoke to policies regarding turnover and gapping in terms of staffing, elaborating on general processes followed at the management level.
The Committee requested that staff provide a summary on the list of funding from other levels of governments, of which those that are application-based.
Responding to questions, D. Spooner indicated staff could report back on seniors' use of transit, and what the cost is of one free day per month for seniors.
In reply to questions, D. Spooner provided further clarity to the enforcement of transit fare payment. N. Malcolm spoke to ways in which accessibility is considered for transit, and indicated staff could explore ways to make fare boxes more accessible.
The Committee requested that staff provide more detailed information on facilities maintenance, professional fees and services, and training/facility occupancy.
The Committee requested that staff report back with area-rating costs for the City of Cambridge from 2014-present, and the amount of money spent for increased buses in Cambridge.
The Committee requested a list of items that the province or federal government could be covering as a part of cost-sharing.