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Proposed 2022 Budget keeps tax rates low while delivering quality public services

Municipalinfonet.com
Dec. 2, 2021

This evening, the City of Vaughan’s draft 2022 Budget and 2023 to 2026 Capital Plan were tabled, reflecting the continued commitment to keep property tax rates low, respect taxpayers’ money and deliver quality public services that residents, businesses and visitors rely on each day.

In this first of three virtual public meetings on this topic, the focus was on advancing city-building, achieving customer service and accomplishing results. The proposed 2022 citizen-focused budget outlines how Vaughan’s administration will move the city forward while delivering more than 200 daily programs and services effectively and efficiently.

With this proposed budget, Vaughan will maintain one of the lowest and most competitive tax rates in the Greater Toronto Area. Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Members of Council have once again delivered on their promise to keep property tax low with a proposed increase of two per cent in 2022 in support of the $333.2-million operating budget, which funds the many programs and services families rely on, including garbage collection, snow clearing and fire prevention education.

Twenty-eight cents of every property tax dollar stay with the City to provide these and many other services. The remainder is split between York Region (49 cents), the local school boards (22 cents) and the hospital precinct levy (one cent). In the context of the average $6,000 annual property tax bill, only $1,676 stays with the City.

The Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Budgets fund programs and services to ensure the City can provide safe drinking water, collect wastewater effectively, manage stormwater to mitigate flooding and save for future water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure needs. The proposed increase for the combined water and wastewater rate in 2022 is $0.1551 per cubic metre, or 3.3 per cent. The proposed increase for the 2022 stormwater charge is an average of 4.5 per cent.

Finally, the capital budget was also presented with proposed projects for 2022 and a forecast capital plan up to 2026 with investments of $271.8 million in 2022 to help the City grow sustainably and build and repair City infrastructure, including roads, pipes and buildings.