Markham approves zero per cent property tax rate increase to support the community during the pandemic

2021 budget will continue to deliver value, exceptional services
and investment now and into the future

Markham.bmetrack.com
Dec. 11, 2020

Markham Council approved the City’s 2021 Budget of $520.9M on December 9.

The zero per cent property tax rate increase will help Markham property owners to better weather these uncertain and challenging times that the community continues to deal with during COVID-19. The budget preserves, and in some cases exceeds, current service levels, and continues investments in Council-approved priorities in a responsible manner as we remain prudent with our assets while we push forward towards pandemic recovery.

Similar to what other municipalities are experiencing, the Markham economy has been negatively impacted by the effects of COVID-19. The City anticipates 2021 will be a difficult year for the community and as a result, Council knew it was important to approve a zero per cent property tax rate increase.

Council approved property tax and fee relief measures earlier this year to help residents and businesses experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. These measures are scheduled to end on December 31, 2020.

In anticipation that COVID-19 will continue to impact many Markham property taxpayers, in 2021, Markham Council has approved a new Property Tax and Stormwater Fee Payment Deferral Program to support property owners who have been financially affected by COVID-19. This assistance is by application only and is meant to aid residential and business property owners who require payment flexibility throughout the 2021 taxation year. More information about this program and eligibility requirements can be found at markham.ca/TaxRelief.

Additionally, the suspension of the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) from April 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020, to provide relief to hoteliers, will continue throughout the 2021 taxation year.

“This current year has brought unprecedented challenges for residents and businesses and we are committed to lessening the burden to our property taxpayers by approving a zero per cent property tax increase,” said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “Throughout the pandemic, the City of Markham has taken a fiscally responsible approach to managing our finances. The zero per cent property tax increase allows the City to support residents and businesses while continuing to maintain current high service levels. Earlier this year Markham Council approved a suite of relief measures for residents and businesses to assist them during the pandemic including the waiving of late payment charges on 2020 property taxes to the end of the year. As we move forward in this pandemic, we will continue looking for additional efficiencies, streamline processes, leverage new technologies and do what we do best: innovate.”

2021 Investments Include
Diversity Action Plan Refresh:
The City is updating its Diversity Action Plan - Everyone Welcome - and in 2021, the City is devoting more than $100,000 to the Diversity Action Plan refresh. On July 20, 2020, Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti announced the City’s strategy to combat anti-Black racism. This strategy was unanimously endorsed by Markham Council and includes having dialogue with, and obtaining advice from, members of the Black community. This advice will be included in the update to the Diversity Action Plan. As part of the City’s strategy to combat anti-Black racism, the City has appointed Mary Anne Chambers as Special Advisor, to provide advice and guidance on measures to address anti-Black racism. Furthermore, the City has established a Mayor’s Anti-Black Racism Youth Liaison Committee, and City of Markham Council and staff are receiving education on anti-Black racism to be better informed to influence the actions we take as an organization – for our staff and the community.  

Growing Green Spaces: 
The Neighbourhood Tree Maintenance Program is an ongoing City-wide initiative that enhances the health of our urban forest and resolves service requests related to street trees that are owned by the City. Launched in February 2020, the Neighbourhood Tree Maintenance Program is going into the second of its planned three year capital project lifecycle. At the completion of the three-year program, approximately 100,000 street trees will be pruned. To help achieve this, the City is investing $1M in 2021 towards this program. Pruning our street trees will increase community accessibility on streets and sidewalks, reduce obstructions, improve the health of City trees, and grow our urban forest.

As part of the Trees for Tomorrow Program, the City will continue to plant trees through our partnerships adding to the more than 400,000 trees already planted through the program. This contributes to Markham’s strategic goal to increase our tree canopy to 30 per cent.

Markham will also invest $11.7M in the first phase of the Markham Centre Trail (from Warden Ave. to Birchmount Rd.) and the construction of five new parks. These include: Celebration Park (Ward 7), Blodwen Davies Park (Ward 5), Yonge & Grandview Park (Ward 1), Green Lane Park (Ward 1), Berczy Beckett Park (Ward 6), and Markham Centre Trail Phase 1B (Ward 3).

Building Strong and Resilient Communities: 
As part of Markham’s 30-year Flood Control Program to improve storm drainage capacity and to limit flooding risks, the City has earmarked $21M for flood control and stormwater management. The City will continue construction in the West Thornhill area in 2021 with Phase 3B, along Johnson St. and Vanwood Rd. and Phase 4A (Royal Orchard Blvd), as well as complete the design for the flood control plan in the Don Mills Channel area.

The City is also investing $18.4M in water and wastewater system replacements and upgrades, including $6.6M to reline 4.2km of cast iron watermains (John St. and 14th Ave), $4M for the replacement of cast iron watermains (West Thornhill Phase 3B) and $3.5M to upgrade the sanitary pipes on Royal Orchard Blvd.

Improving Road Infrastructure: 
The City has earmarked $6.8M for asphalt resurfacing of approximately 17.5km of two and four-lane roads, as well as completing pavement preservation on 6.8km of four-lane roads throughout the City in order to keep roads in a good state of repair. Markham continues to take a cost-effective and sustainable approach to extend the lifespan of the road network, while continuing to look for ways to reduce overall maintenance costs.
“In light of these unprecedented and difficult times, Markham continues to provide responsible and strong fiscal management,” said Budget Chief Councillor Amanda Collucci. “We know this is a challenging time for many -- Council and senior staff knew it was important to hold the property tax rate increase at zero per cent, while continuing to offer the excellent services that our community has come to expect. We want to ensure residents continue to receive the best value for their hard-earned tax dollars.”

“The 2021 budget ensures there are sufficient funds in the Life Cycle Replacement and Capital Reserve for the rehabilitation and replacement of City infrastructure for the next 25 years,” said Budget Vice-Chair Councillor Andrew Keyes.

“Throughout the pandemic, the City of Markham has taken a fiscally responsible approach to managing our finances,” said Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “We cautiously reintroduced services based on demand while adhering to strict COVID-19 protocols. We continue to have the lowest 16-year average tax rate increase in the GTA at 2.08% and we will continue investing in infrastructure, creating strong and resilient neighbourhoods. Key critical investments include $21M in flood control and stormwater management, $12.4M in road construction, repairs and rehabilitation, and $11.7M for new parks and trails to better serve our community. The City of Markham has been appreciative of the continued partnership and cooperation by other levels of government throughout the pandemic. We were grateful to receive $6.6M in financial assistance from the Federal and Provincial governments to offset operating losses incurred because of COVID-19.”

Markham collects property taxes on behalf of York Region and the Province of Ontario. Residential property taxes support York Region and education with 51 per cent of all Markham taxes going to York Region. The City of Markham retains approximately 25 per cent of the taxes collected with the remaining 24 per cent going to the Province for education.

Markham’s Contact Centre continues to respond to inquiries about municipal services and programs at customerservice@markham.ca and 905.477.5530, Monday to Friday between 8 AM and 5 PM.

For information and updates about the novel coronavirus and affected City services, visit markham.ca/covid19.