East Gwillimbury preliminary budget calls for 1% tax increase

Thestar.com
Nov. 22, 2021
Simon Martin

East Gwillimbury is kicking off its 2022 budget deliberations. Council will meet Nov. 22, Nov. 24 and Dec. 7 with a planned budget approval Dec. 14.

In the preliminary budget presented to council, town staff proposed a tax increase of 1 per cent increase.

East Gwillimbury Director of Finance Warren Marshall told council that 1 per cent equated to roughly a $20-a-year tax increase for the average home.

Marshall said the town remains in good fiscal position being debt-free and with the lowest relative taxes. The property tax for two storey detached home is around $4,000.

The total proposed budget is $65.1 million with $42.3 million as part of the operating budget and $21.8 million as part of the capital budget.

The 1 per cent increase in the proposed tax levy is being dedicated to help

fund the town's Health and Active Living Plaza (HALP) as well roads/parks operations. The HALP is a $54 million project that will include a pool and library.

Big capital program spending in 2022 include $1.7 million for the HALP architectural services. In total the town has $10 million budgeted to the HALP in 2022. There is $1.1 million for architectural services for the EG Sports Complex expansion.

The East Townline Bridge rehabilitation with Uxbridge will cost the town roughly $1.7 million. Downtown Centre Street revitalization in Mount Albert is estimated at $1.45 million and Downton Holland Landing Yonge Street revitalization is estimated at $700,000.