Here are the highlights of the City of Vaughan's $512.8M operating budget

2022 budget also sees 2% property tax hike

Yorkregion.com
Jan. 4, 2022
Dina Al-Shibeeb

Vaughan’s 2022 budget has an operating budget of $512.8 million after a two per cent property tax increase.

Apart from property tax, Vaughan’s budget is also supported through various funding sources, including the Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF), formerly known as the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Gas Tax Fund. The city has received approximately $119 million from this fund from 2010 to 2021, with an additional anticipated $9.7 million in 2022.

So here are the top five figures.

1- It has an operating budget of $512.8 million

Vaughan’s operating budget for 2022 is $512.8 million with capital investments of $271.8 million. Last year, it approved an operating budget of $488.8 million.

Vaughan said its 2022 budget builds upon the “city’s existing strong foundation and accounts for sustainable growth with opportunities to enrich lives through arts, culture, parks, trails and recreation.”

2- Two per cent property tax increase

While Vaughan says it’s maintaining “one of the lowest and most competitive tax rates in the Greater Toronto Area,” it increased the property tax to two per cent. Last year, there was no increase due to the pandemic’s effect on families and the uncertainty on the economy.

3- Property tax supported budget is $333.2 million

The city’s property tax-supported operating budget for 2022 is $333.2 million after increasing property tax by two per cent. This is to fund more than 200 programs and services, including garbage collection, snow clearing and fire prevention education.

In 2021, Vaughan had a property tax-supported budget of $318 million, but saw no increases in taxes to reduce the COVID-19 financial impact on families.

4- 28 cents of every property tax dollar staying in the city

About 28 cents of every property tax dollar is to stay with the city. 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.

Last year, residential property taxes are split between Vaughan (27 per cent), York Region (49 per cent), the province of Ontario (23 per cent for local school boards) and the Hospital Precinct Levy (one per cent).

5- $179.6M water, wastewater and stormwater budgets fund

The city put forward $179.6 million for its water, wastewater and stormwater budgets fund programs and services to ensure Vaughan can deliver clean and safe drinking water, collect wastewater effectively, manage stormwater to mitigate flooding and save for future water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure needs.

The approved increase for the combined water and wastewater rate in 2022 is $0.1551 per cubic metre, or 3.3 per cent, versus 2021. The increase for the 2022 stormwater charge is an average of 4.5 per cent versus 2021.

6- Other figures on infrastructure and city building

For 2022, there is going to be $34.5 million spent on infrastructure development.

Also, about $190.8 million is slated for capital projects related to city building. This includes the design and construction of the new Carrville Community Centre, District Park and Library.

In addition, there is going to be $325.8 million on capital projects related to transportation and mobility. Some major projects planned include the reconstruction of Huntington Road, the Kirby Road extension, the Vaughan Super Trail development, various road rehabilitation projects throughout the municipality, construction of a number of road extensions within the VMC and extension of Bass Pro Mills Drive.

For 2022, there is going to be $291.2 million spent in capital projects related to environmental stewardship. The two largest projects are Black Creek Channel renewal and stormwater management improvements at various locations throughout the city, which represent 54 per cent of the capital plan.

For 2021, about $85.3 million in capital projects were funneled for environmental stewardship.