LOOKING AHEAD 2023: ‘Challenges facing Georgina are largely financial’

2023 will be dominated by development -- MURC, 404 Logistics Park, implications of Bill 23

Yorkregion.com
Jan. 9, 2023
Amanda Persico

The year ahead is going to be challenging -- challenging as the price of goods increases, challenging as we work through this labour shortage and challenging as supply chains are disrupted.

And the town is not exempt.

“Similar to other municipalities, businesses and residents, challenges facing Georgina are largely financial,” said Mayor Margaret Quirk.

“We all know the cost of everything has gone up. Increased costs due to inflation is causing financial pressures.”

The increase in the cost of supplies and utility prices means millions of dollars in added expenses for the town.

Residents are also feeling the squeeze from all sides -- from increasing prices for food to increased property taxes.

The 2023 draft budget proposes a 6.99 per cent tax increase -- the largest increase in more than five years.

The proposed increase, which includes a two per cent levy for town reserves, amounts to an added $166 to the town’s property tax portion based on the average, non-waterfront, single-family home with an assessed value of about $448,000.

For the average single-family home with waterfront, assessed at about $731,000, the annual increase amounts to about $271.

Council will deliberate the 2023 draft budget Jan. 24 and 25, with final approval expected Jan. 25.

For more information on the draft budget, visit georgina.ca/budget.

Another financial hurdle comes in the wake of Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, and all its implications, Quirk added.

Not only does Bill 23 make changes to where homes can be built, but it also changes how municipalities can collect on that development.

One of the impacts of Bill 23 is the change to development charges collected from developers by the town to ensure growth pays for growth, Quirk added.

That means the town could be on the hook for future community amenities instead of having it paid for by development. Or the town could be forced to cancel, amend or slash services.

Development of all forms -- from the full implications of Bill 23 to construction of the town’s new recreation facility and business park -- will dominate 2023.

Construction on the long-awaited Multi-Use Recreation Complex (MURC) is expected to be complete by the end of 2023 and open in 2024.

The MURC will feature a six-lane swimming pool, a double gymnasium, a walking track and a new discovery branch library.

“It’s an exciting project with many opportunities for recreation, learning and community activities for all of Georgina,” Quirk said.

By the end of November, construction of the MURC was about 45 per cent complete.

Construction was delayed by several months as a result of labour strikes and supply issues.

The first building in the 404 Logistics Park on Woodbine is expected to be built and occupied by the end of 2023, adding much-needed local jobs and adding to the town’s tax base, Quirk said.

The first of three industrial buildings in the multi-phased project will create about 200 new jobs. At full buildout, the Logistics Park has the potential to create more than 1,000 jobs.

“We all want Georgina to thrive and enjoy economic prosperity,” said Quirk of the road ahead.

The year ahead will be challenging for all businesses, residents and non-profits given the high cost of supplies and inflation, added Georgina Trades Training Inc. chairperson Carr Hatch.

The province recently ramped up its charge to build more homes faster. At the same time, the province is facing a skilled labour shortage to the tune of 100,000 additional workers needed by 2027 just to keep up with 2019 residential construction demands.

And this shortage can be felt at the training institute level, Hatch added.

“With a shortage in the trades, we have to compete for qualified people,” he said.

Looking ahead, Hatch also noted given the current financial climate government funding could dry up, so GTTI is looking to expand its fee-based programming to reduce government dependence.