Markham passes $522M budget with 'lowest property tax hike' in GTA

$24 average hike for city portion of tax bill jumps to $175 when combined with proposed 2.96% York Region increase and 7.8% water bill for 2020.

Yorkregion.com
December 20, 2019
Heidi Riedner

Markham council unanimously passed a $522-million budget Dec. 10 with a tax rate hike of 1.95 per cent -- an increase of $24 for the average household valued at $770,000.

The 2020 budget includes 1.45 per cent for day-to-day operating costs and .5 per cent for infrastructure investment.

The increase continues the trend during the past few years of whittling down the impact of the city’s tax portion when compared to 1.97 per cent in 2019, 2.9 per cent in 2018 and the 3.46 per cent in 2017.

“It was important for me to bring the tax rate down to below the anticipated rate of inflation,” said Mayor Frank Scarpitti during a budget news conference Dec. 11, adding it's the 15th straight year the city passed a budget with the lowest property tax increase in the GTA.

The city retains approximately 25 per cent of the taxes collected, with 51 per cent going to York Region and 24 per cent to the province for education.

Based on the average home assessment, residents can expect to fork over an extra $175 on their property taxes when a 7.8 per cent increase ($74 average) to the water and wastewater rate, effective April 1, and a proposed 2.96 per cent regional increase (equating to $77) are factored in.

“The budget committee undertook a comprehensive review to find efficiencies and savings, while delivering value for our taxpayers. We are steadfast in our commitment to providing exceptional services, protecting city assets and to investing in a bright and promising future.”

The city’s Excellence through Efficiency and Effectiveness initiative (E3) has yielded a cumulative $29 million in operational savings and revenue enhancements since 2009, Ward 6 councillor and budget chair Amanda Collucci said.

“We also managed to save $1.7 million through various E3 measures including energy conservation and maintenance costs, which is a key factor in keeping the tax rate increase as low as possible," she added.

Key highlights of the budget include:

$32.4M investment to ensure community centres, libraries and cultural venues are maintained in good condition.

$22.1M for the construction of new parks, including Box Grove, Cornell, Wismer McCowan Woodlot, York Downs and Leitchcroft Townhouse. The city will also plant 10,000 trees through the Trees for Tomorrow program.

$10.9M for flood control, specifically construction in West Thornhill on Clark Avenue to the east of Henderson Avenue and on Morgan Avenue between Yonge Street and Henderson Avenue.

$6.9M for road infrastructure for resurfacing and pavement preservation on 19 kilometres of two- and four-lane roads.

$1.4M toward a new trail system from Markham Centre, starting from the north side of the Rouge River from Warden Avenue to Sciberras Road and $200,000 to design a new trail from the Rouge Valley Trail to Kennedy Road and Austin Drive.

Continuation of energy conservation and efficiency program for municipal buildings, which has saved $2 million per year in utilities and achieved a 14 per cent greenhouse gas reduction per resident since 2012.

A new economic development strategy, as well as expanded digital access and literacy programs under the Digital Markham Strategy.

"We are investing in our facilities, growing and strengthening vital infrastructure. We are creating complete and livable neighbourhoods with ample green space, parks and pathways," Scarpitti said.