Average Newmarket homeowner tax hike $6.71 as 2017 budget approved

Yorkregion.com
Feb. 14, 2017
By Teresa Latchford

Newmarket’s new stormwater management charge knocks the property tax increase down to less than 1 per cent.
Council approved a 0.39 per cent tax increase on Feb. 13, meaning the average home assessed at $450,702 will pay an additional $6.71 increase on its property tax bill this year. The goal was to hit a 2.8 per cent increase when the budget process began. Throughout budget deliberations, town staff and council were able to find $900,000 in efficiencies and reductions to land at 2.99 per cent or $51.41.

However, with the new stormwater charge, shifting to user pay where properties that produce more run-off like commercial and industrial to cover the cost of future management improvements, the average resident will see a $45 reduction on their property taxes and a $10 reduction on their water and wastewater bill.

In short, the average resident will see a $39.34 increase in total for the town’s portion. When combined with York Region and the school board’s portions, the average resident’s property tax bill will be $4,391.10 this year.

“This was a tough budget year for members of council and Newmarket staff,” Mayor Tony Van Bynen said. “This year’s budget focused on council’s strategic priorities and finding efficiencies and reductions that would have the least impact on service levels for our community.”

He also noted that the community participated in the budget process using an app that allowed users to allocate budget dollars to a variety of town services. More than 500 residents provided feedback, doubling participation from previous years.

“In 2017 we will continue to take a sustainable approach to budgeting,” Regional Councillor John Taylor said. “With over 160 business units, including fire and emergency services, facilities, parks and trails, waste collection, roads, water and more, we are proud to have delivered a budget that provides outstanding services and facilities, while respecting the impact on the taxpayer.”

Highlights of the budget include increased sidewalk snow-clearing, traffic management initiatives, a marketing strategy for the Davis Drive and Yonge Street corridors, three new parks, bike lanes, facility upgrades and more.
For more details, visit newmarket.ca/2017budget.