Toronto Council meets today!

(The end is NIGH, I meant. But "the end is night" seems kind of poetic? Eh, I'll leave it.)

Councillor Brad Bradford's motion to increase the small biz property tax break to 25% (instead of 20%) FAILS 5-20.

Councillor Carroll's motion to increase the small biz property tax break to 20% CARRIES 23-2.

Councillor Matlow's motion requesting the City Manager start negotiations on getting Toronto a slice of HST revenue CARRIES 24-1.

Councillor Morley's motions to report on ways to improve conditions at drop-in sites and offer better snow clearing services for seniors CARRY 24-1.

Councillor Pasternak's motion to tell the federal government that the city "vigorously opposes" the $10 million cut to the Housing Accelerator Fund that came following council's refusal to legalize sixplexes citywide CARRIES 22-3.

Councillor Bravo's motion requesting the police explain the budget impacts of various moves in recent years to transfer services from the cops to city hall CARRIES 23-2.

Councillor Perruzza's motion requesting the province let the city keep the education portion of property tax revenue CARRIES 22-3.

Councillor Holyday's motion calling for the mayor to consider bringing back mechanical vacuum leaf collection FAILS 9-16. Getting closer.

Councillor Myers' motion to report on formalizing and strengthening the relationship between City Hall and the TTC CARRIES 24-0.

Councillor Burnside's motion requesting the TTC board consider a ten-cent fare increase, with the extra revenue going toward providing more service and expanding eligibility for the low-income fare pass, FAILS 3-20.

Councillor Crisanti's motion for a report on providing seniors with discounted Wheel-Trans rides during off-peak periods CARRIES 19-5.

The property tax rates for 2026, including a 2.2% overall residential increase, are APPROVED by council 21-4.

There was some confusion over what that vote was all about, so council opts for a re-do. On a re-vote, the 2026 property tax rates are APPROVED 19-5.

Budget recommendation to suspend the Toronto Parking Authority's income share agreement, so that all net parking income will now flow direct to City Hall, CARRIES 20-4.

Budget recommendation to request the TPA look at increasing parking rates for 2026 CARRIES 20-4.

Budget recommendation to expand a program offering air conditioners to low-income seniors CARRIES 23-1.

Various budget recommendations related to the FIFA World Cup CARRY 22-2.

And all other budget matters CARRY 24-0.

And that's it. The FINAL budget of the 2022-2026 council term is in the books. It's all downhill from here.

If you enjoyed this thread and found it illuminating, show your gratitude with a subscription to my newsletter, City Hall Watcher. It keeps me going. https://toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/subscribe