Chair M. Harris provided an introduction.
Mathieu Goetzke, Acting CAO, provided an introduction to the presentation, elaborating on the process for the 2025 budget. He provided a population and service overview. A copy of the presentation is attached to the agenda.
Rod Regier, Commissioner, Planning, Development, and Legislative Services, provided an overview of the Homes for All Strategic Priority at the Region, along with the work being done in this focus area. He expanded on the plan for developing more housing within the Region.
Dr. Hsui-Li Wang, Commissioner, Public Health & Paramedic Services/Medical Officer of Health, provided an overview of the Equitable Services and Opportunities priority at the Region, including ways in which the Region is being responsive to health and well-being needs.
Doug Spooner, Acting Commissioner, Transportation Services, spoke to the Climate Aligned Growth lens of the Region’s Strategic Plan. He elaborated on the work being done at the Region to continue efforts in adapting to and mitigating effects of climate change.
Kate Konopka, Commissioner, Human Resources provided an overview of the work being done within the Resilient and Future Ready Organization Strategic Priority.
Connie MacDonald, Commissioner, Resident Experience, Strategy and Communications, expanded on the 2026 budget plan highlights, noting major changes.
Replying to questions from the Committee, Peter Sweeney, Commissioner, Community Services indicated it depends whether the Region is eligible for certain incentives from various levels of government for building more affordable housing. R. Regier added that current available incentives typically tend to not meet current needs. H. Wang further added that the community paramedic program is provincially funded, and that funding provides the basis for how the program is scoped, which helps reduce frequency of calls to residences, but at the moment, not significantly changing demand of 911 service.
Responding to a question from the Committee, D. Spooner indicated that staff can provide greater detail with regard to the data collected by MioVision.
In response to a question from the Committee, Jennifer Rose, Commissioner, Engineering & Environmental Services, explained that water utilization's steady rise can be attributed to population growth. She added that more information can be provided by staff regarding water loss and prevention strategies.
Wayne Steffler, Commissioner, Corporate Services/Chief Financial Officer, provided an overview on the operating budget. He provided information on the property tax rate based on the data from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation, and Regional Assessment Growth. He elaborated on the 2026 preliminary tax supported operating budget. W. Steffler spoke to the highlights of the 2026 budget, noting major changes, and factors contributing to a larger impact on the budget.
Nicole Neil, Director, Corporate Finance provided a breakdown of the funding sources and categories of spend. She provided further information on funding and cost-sharing programs with various levels of government by program.
K. Konopka provided information on the budget staff complement by Full-Time Equivalents (FTE), with a net decrease proposed for 2026. She elaborated on the proposed additions for 2026.
N. Neil spoke to major non-tax revenues collected by the Region. She expanded on the impact of the closure of the Municipal Speed Camera program. She provided an update on the status of the Tax Stabilization Reserve, explaining the major items that are affecting its decrease year-over-year. N. Neil indicated the reserve balance is low compared to what it should be at based on industry standards.
Responding to a question from the Committee, N. Neil answered that Ontario Works does receive some funding per caseload, with a discretionary benefit added on top of that.
Replying to a question from the Committee, N. Neil explained that the Regional Assessment Growth is lower due to lower development. She provided information on the process for building permits and backyard units, which form supplemental tax data provided to the Region.
Responding to a question from the Committee, N. Neil clarified that 1% tax increase is equal to $5.8 million after assessment growth. She added that the impact on the tax levy of 5% is only how much money from the levy is going into reserves.
In reply to a question from the Committee, D. Spooner answered that overall expenditure for 2026 is $78.5 million, with a recoverable of about $5.7 million.
Responding to a question from the Committee, N. Neil indicated that staff could provide information on the last 5 years' difference between expected versus actual assessment growth.
R. Regier expanded on the operating costs associated with the re-opening of Doon Village. He clarified that it is being added back to the budget and was removed as the funds were not needed during the time of the capital upgrade.
C. MacDonald spoke to efficiencies and service adjustments in the 2026 budget to achieve the 5% guideline, based on particular criteria, to propose service level adjustments. W. Steffler spoke to the financial strategies utilized to find efficiencies and reduce the budget for 2026. D. Spooner spoke to the transit services business plan added that work is being done to improve the transit network overall and better understand changes in ridership.
In reply to a question from the Committee, D. Spooner provided further clarity to the taxi fees and charges and taxi coupons. He added that all GRT revenue is general revenue for the Region, and that GRT sets the amounts due to capacity to fulfill the program. D. Spooner indicated that staff could explore the question of taxi script allotment (proportions) rather than taxi script pricing. D. Spooner provided that MobilityPLUS would be impacted with taxi coupons, by way of those booking outside of GRT. Tim Brubacher, Regional Clerk/Director of Council and Administrative Services, provided clarification on the accessibility fee and its associated increase, citing this as the rationale for lowering the broker fee due to that increase. He confirmed that the fee structure is still raising approximately $500,000 in revenue. Staff were asked to come back with more information on the implications for increasing the per trip fee to various interval levels.
Replying to questions, D. Spooner provided further clarity to the cost recovery ratio for transit services. He added that staff can come back with more information on work being done to promote exiting routes, and consider the biggest action items that can be taken to advance the business plan, with less reliance on student ridership.
Responding to a question, D. Spooner answered that there is a focus on expanding locations and accessibility for pursuing programs such as the Affordable Transit Program, and that staff can explore distributing fares through additional means.
Responding to a question from the Committee, staff answered that they can come back with more information regarding what happens with surplus balance from rural transportation.
Replying to a question from the Committee, D. Spooner indicated that staff can come back with more information on the plausibility of allowing wraps on elements of GRT assets, such as the ION or on buses.
In reply to a question from the Committee, D. Spooner spoke to the ability for GRT to adjust based on ridership levels, and the process for how those adjustments can take place.
Replying to questions, D. Spooner confirmed that Conestoga and UWaterloo are anticipated to renegotiate UPasses in 2027, and with Wilfrid Laurier University in 2030. He spoke further to the reduction of some routes based on reduction in students, however, assured that the rest is aligned with GRT business plan.
J. Rose spoke to service adjustments being proposed for Waste Management, providing an overview of current service levels and programs. She provided further information on the double-up service and rationale for its exclusion from the proposed budget.
Replying to questions, J. Rose spoke to contractual and operational costs associated with recycling and diversion, including relative service levels based on comparators.
In response to a question from the Committee, J. Rose answered that there is more capacity with the new carts. Furthermore, J. Rose indicated the distinct service Circular Materials (CM) is providing may be confusing to residents, and confirmed that staff can look at the possibility of a shared calendar with CM to mitigate confusion. J. Rose spoke to the reprioritization relative to any levy increase.
Responding to questions, J. Rose provided more clarity on the pick-up processes. She added that CM has indicated they will provide a fee to support cost of that service if Region continues to do it. J. Rose provided that the fees associated with purchasing additional waste bins are included in the fees and charges by-law. She further indicated that staff can come back with more information on the implications of reducing bulky item pick-up even further, such as to twice a year or once every few months. Staff can come back with a detailed accounting of how the new waste collection will work.
Replying to a question from the Committee, J. Rose spoke to construction and demolition waste deferrals, and how that is done through the long-term waste management strategy, which is due to be completed in 2026.
N. Neil provided an overview of the user rates and fees being proposed, additionally introducing the proposed new fees. J. Rose spoke to the Water and Wastewater user rates and provided an overview of the recommended changes. She further spoke to the impacts of salt in wells within the Region and how it is being managed.
Responding to a question from the Committee, as it pertains to new transportation fees, Mike Henderson, Director, Transportation Services, provided greater clarification regarding road cut inspections.
Responding to questions, staff indicated more information can be brought forward regarding the Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF), in terms of what is eligible to be funded through this fund, how much the Region has received in the last 5 years, and how it was allocated each of the last 5 years.
Responding to questions, J. Rose spoke to the water supply strategy update, indicating how this would inform expansion of water treatment plants throughout the Region, including Cambridge.
Replying to a question from the Committee, R. Regier indicated that staff can provide more information on how the airport's rental fees compare to other municipalities.
In response to a question from the Committee, staff indicated a report can be brought back with more detail on the salt concentration map, and work being done to mitigate any adverse effects.
Staff were asked to come back with more information regarding growth costs of new builds versus maintenance on existing builds.
Responding to questions, R. Regier provided more information on the rationale for certain fees within cultural services, including variations based on group sizes. Furthermore, he spoke to the work done by Watson & Associates on the fees and charges, and, Danielle de Fields, Director, Regional Growth, Development and Sustainability Services, provided greater detail to the proposed fee changes related to development, based on recommendations from Watson & Associates. Staff indicated the work done by Watson & Associates can be circulated to the Committee.
Replying to questions, J. Rose spoke to the rate proposals for the Water and Wastewater divisions, adding that the study for long term financial plan was for water only. She answered that staff can provide more detail on the water rates.
In response to a question from the Committee, staff indicated they can provide more information on hydro and water bills for Regional housing initiatives, as well as unpaid water bills.
In reply to a question from the Committee, R, Regier provided clarification to the farmland rent fees N. Neil confirmed that the airport is only area where fees are applied.
Replying to a question. M. Goetzke indicated that staff have reviewed Council expenditures, with the one change in the budget being the Council remuneration study expected to be completed the first half of 2026. He added that staff can look at the Council conference policy.
Responding to a question from the Committee, M. Goetzke indicated that conversations are ongoing with WRHN and Cambridge memorial regarding costs for a new hospital. He added that staff are working on trying to bring back a response to Council, and that a cost estimate is not expected before end of the year.