York Region finalizes 2022 budget with 2.96% rate increase

Newmarkettoday.ca
Dec. 20, 2021

York Region council has passed its 2022 budget and finalized a 2.96 per cent tax levy increase driven by pandemic costs, inflation, and a new subway extension.

The budget passed Dec. 16 includes increased spending for police, public health and other infrastructure. A full one per cent of the tax increase is to help fund $1.12 billion toward a subway extension into Richmond Hill, which is expected to drive more tax increases into the future.

The tax rate increase is projected to add about $62 to the annual tax bill for the average Newmarket home.

“The proposed operating and capital budgets reflect York Region’s vision of strong, caring and safe communities,” commissioner and regional treasurer Jason Li said.

The budget includes $3 billion in water and wastewater infrastructure in 10 years, $1.5 billion over 10 years to road infrastructure, adding 27 police staff and 14 paramedic staff, and constructing 700 affordable housing units over the next four years. In total, the budget has approximately $2.7 billion for operating and $980 million in capital expenses for 2022.

Councillors brought forward several budget additions at the meeting after weeks of review. Council opted to provide an extra $250,000 to the York Region Arts Council in support funding from the COVID-19 reserves, with the amount dependent on their efforts to find alternative relief funding.

Council also supported a proposal from Georgina to spend $45,000 to create a painted, symbolic sidewalk in Sutton dedicated to Indigenous truth and reconciliation.

However, council opted against a proposal from Newmarket Mayor John Taylor to provide more funding to Inn From the Cold so it could operate its shelter all year. They also halted a proposal to fund police an additional $200,000 next year and $1.1 million thereafter, which would have allowed for hiring more officers.

The region has cited inflationary and pandemic-related pressures as part of the 1.96 per cent of the increase not funding the subway. In total, it equates to the 2.96 per cent increase also approved in 2021.

Newmarket council passed its budget Dec. 13 with a 1.99 per cent tax rate increase. Combined with water rate increases, the average Newmarket homeowner could face a $96 raise on their annual tax bill from the town side, in addition to the region’s $62.