'Challenging year': East Gwillimbury passes 0 per cent tax increase for 2021 budget

'It is important that our residents and local businesses know that we understand the daily challenges they face'

Yorkregion.com
Dec. 22, 2020
Simon Martin

It's not often that a town imposes a zero per cent tax increase, but that's what happening in East Gwillimbury in 2021.

Council approved the town’s 2021 operating, capital and development fee-supported budget with a zero per cent tax levy increase for the town’s property tax component. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, council members wanted to limit the impact on residents and businesses during these challenging times.

The 2021 budget maintains base programs and services and continues the town’s multi-year focus on funding for community safety and operation of the new Health and Active Living Plaza.

“This year has been a challenging year and council is proud that we were able to maintain programs and services for our community, plan for our future and continue our commitment to public safety without increasing the tax levy for 2021,” Mayor Virginia Hackson said. “With the uncertainty of the pandemic, it is important that our residents and local businesses know that we understand the daily challenges they face and will continue to support them in any way that we can while being fiscally responsible.”

Due to COVID-19, council recommended a one-time zero per cent tax levy increase to assist residents and businesses impacted by COVID-19. The approved budget applies only to the town’s portion of taxes collected, which excludes taxes that are collected on behalf of York Region and school boards. The total budget is $26,336,331. The total capital budget is $4,054,260.

Highlights of the 2021 budget include:

• Road rehabilitation program ($1.6 million)

• Improvements to the East Gwillimbury Sports Complex for future recreational uses

• Basketball half-court installations at Mainprize and King Street Parks

• Review of broadband gaps in our community

Other projects being launched in 2021 include:

• Online portal that will allow residents to view tax and water account information, complete online payments, purchase pet licenses and pay parking tickets

• New town website

Deliberations for the town’s water and wastewater budget are scheduled to begin in January.

To learn more about the 2021 business plan and budget, visit www.eastgwillimbury.ca/budget.