Newmarket approves 2.99% property tax hike

Yorkregion.com
Jan. 21, 2016
By Chris Simon

Taxes are going up in Newmarket again this year.

Council approved its nearly $115-million operating and $26.7-million capital budgets Monday night. The operating budget includes plans for a 2.99-per-cent increase on the town’s portion of the property tax bill - about $52.69 for the average home assessed at $450,072. The amount includes a .8 per cent infrastructure levy.

“Can you imagine our town if every year council just said ‘no tax increase’?” Councillor Tom Vegh said. “We wouldn’t have Riverwalk Commons. People want their sidewalks plowed (and) talk to us about outdoor rinks and splash pads. They (speak) about things that cost money. Our costs that we don’t have any control over continue to go up… we need to manage these things and that’s a reality. A zero per cent tax increase is the easiest thing in the world; a 2-per-cent increase, that’s tough.”

When combined with the anticipated York Region and school board portions, the average homeowner will pay an additional $104.89 on their property tax bill this year.

Newmarket Taxpayers Advocacy Group president Teena Bogner criticized the budget, specifically the hiring of several new full-time staff members and the inclusion of about $300,000 in funding in the capital budget for the conversion of the Magna Centre restaurant into a town-owned fitness facility.

“Corporate Canada continues to respond to the current economic reality by carefully managing staff and downsizing, yet town staff continues to grow, enjoy generous health and retirement benefits and endless perks such as meals, parties, and incentives,” she said. “Newmarket has shown minimal effort or leadership to reduce taxes, to demand productivity gains from their delivered services or to simply cut costs. NTAG respectfully suggests that if municipalities such as Sudbury and Toronto can find internal cost-cutting solutions and reduce wasteful spending ... Newmarket can do the same. Yet, again, the budget fails Newmarket taxpayers.”

The budget also didn’t go over well with a former mayoral candidate, who lost his bid for the seat to Mayor Tony Van Bynen.

“I’m very concerned about this proposed budget. It does not serve all the people of Newmarket well,” said Chris Campbell during a deputation on the budget. “These charges are really taking a toll on the people you are representing. I don’t believe they should be asked time again to pay for the price of some mistakes for some misguided and sometimes well-intentioned initiatives that lack the rigour of oversight ... that come with a host of excuses. There are those outside these doors that are struggling to be part of this community; they don’t have a voice. Today will be gone as fast as it has arrived and as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, you will be counted (on) ... by those looking for a brighter day.”

Campbell then quoted former British prime minister Winston Churchill.

“You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something sometime in your life,” he said.

Meanwhile, failed regional councillor candidate Darryl Wolk, who was handily beat out last election by Regional Councillor John Taylor, addressed council during the open forum session prior to the formal start of the meeting.

He questioned Van Bynen’s total remuneration in the wake of the proposed increases.

Sitting in the front row of the gallery, Wolk also loudly mumbled about Van Bynen’s salary throughout the remainder of the meeting, often interrupting other residents and council members as they spoke, drawing snickers from the crowd and generating several calls for order by the mayor.

The capital budget includes funding allocations for projects such as the land acquisition, design and construction of the Central York Fire Services 4-5 station ($7.5 million), roads infrastructure projects (about $5.3 million), a Tom Taylor Trail underpass at Davis Drive (about $1.8 million), the implementation of the water and wastewater master servicing study ($1 million), replacement of all CYFS breathing apparatus ($900,000) and a new fire truck ($800,000).

“This has been a long process with a great deal of public consultation and input,” Taylor said. “Only (roughly) 8 per cent of taxes collected from residents across the country comes from the municipality. The rest comes from federal and provincial governments, however, many estimate 80 per cent of the responsibility for infrastructure costs fall to the municipality. It puts a great deal of stress on the municipalities. We are investing tax dollars to ensure water pipes and bridges are not falling apart 10 and 20 years from now; we’re not just dealing with today’s costs. It’s our job to invest in Newmarket strategically.”

Operating budgets pay for the ongoing expenses incurred by the municipality, such as wages, fuel, hydro and maintenance costs. Capital budgets usually cover large infrastructure projects - a new recreation facility or road reconstruction, for example - vehicle purchases and other one-time expenses.

“When we come to the budget process, there’s very little wiggle room,” Councillor Dave Kerwin said. “You try to do the best you can and you can’t satisfy everyone. Nor should you. Do what’s right and be proud that you’re serving the public. That’s what I’ve been doing for 40 years as an elected official. I’m in favour of this budget because it’s the best we could do with what we’ve got.”

Property taxes increasing across York Region

Here's a look at property tax increases planned in municipalities across York Region in 2016:

Aurora - 1.8 per cent, or $31 for the average homeowner

East Gwillimbury - 3.7, or $55

Georgina - 4.3, or $73

King - 2.95 (proposed), or $67

Markham - 2.44, or $29.77

Newmarket - 2.99, or $52.69

Richmond Hill - 6.88 (proposed), or $174.63

Vaughan - 2.9, or $38

Whitchurch-Stouffville - 2.5 (proposed), or $60

York Region - 2.85, or $63

* Figures are based on the individual municipality's portion of the property tax bill. Property tax bills include rates set by the lower tier municipality, York Region and school board.

** Dollar increases shown are based on the average property value in each municipality. Average property values can vary significantly between the municipalities.