Whitchurch-Stouffville town council approves budget increase
Town allocates $87 million for 2017 operating and capital budget

YorkRegion.com
Jan. 31, 2017
Ali Raza

Taxes for residents of Whitchurch-Stouffville will increase 1.75 per cent for the 2017 year.

It means an additional $36 for an average detached single family residential house valued at $741,000.

Town council approved the 2017 operating and capital budget at a meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 24.

Originally the operating budget included a negative tax rate increase; council added a 2.5 per cent additional contribution to capital reserves for a total tax rate increase of 1.75 per cent.

Funds for capital reserves are set aside for future asset rehabilitation and projects identified in the 10-year capital plan.

“This budget represents a fiscally sound approach and addresses the increased demand for services in our town,” said Mayor Justin Altmann in a press release. “It is in line with many other York Region and GTA municipalities.”

As announced in December, the budget also included a 1.5 per cent cost of living adjustment for all non-union staff and council.

The total budget for 2017 stands at approximately $87 million, of which $24 million consists of the capital budget while $63 million is the town’s operating budget.

Last year’s operating budget was $58 million, bringing an increase of $4.5 million to this year’s operating budget.

The budget includes a library grant of $1.7 million related to the Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library’s temporarily relocation during the renovation of its official location at the leisure centre.

Highlights for the operating budget include $6.3 million for leisure and community services, $5.5 million for fire and emergency services, $1.3 million for curbside waste collection for more than 17,000 households and $5 million for maintenance of roads.

Highlights for the capital budget include a $2 million allocation to the building and maintenance of parks and playgrounds, $4.5 million for resident water meter replacements, the installation of Wi-Fi Internet services at town facilities and the ongoing reconstruction of downtown roads in line with the revitalization project.

An additional $650,000 was allocated to the infrastructure reserve fund for the construction of two junior ball diamonds and resurfacing of four Ballantrae tennis courts.

Funds for road repair and rehabilitation was increased by $300,000.

Council approved nine new full-time staff positions including two contract staff.