Stouffville council approves 2024 budget with 3 per cent tax increase

A homeowner with an assessment of $800,000 will see a total estimated annual increase in their property taxes of $189

yorkregion.com
Dec. 4, 2023

The Town of Stouffville announced the approval of the 2024-2026 operating and capital budgets, and taxes are going up in 2024.

The 2024 budgets includes a 1.47 per cent operating tax levy increase and an additional 2 per cent levy for capital asset management needs and a 1 per cent levy dedicated to the upcoming Main Street revitalization project.

When the town’s tax levy increase is combined with York Region's tax rate and the school boards, the estimated blended property tax increase for a resident of Stouffville is 3.03 per cent. A homeowner with an assessment of $800,000, will have a total estimated annual increase in their property taxes of $189.

This marked the first time Stouffville's budgets were presented under “strong mayor powers.” In accordance with the responsibilities outlined in the Municipal Act, Mayor Iain Lovatt tabled the budget on Nov. 8 and presented it to council for consideration. The budget was adopted on Nov. 29 with no amendments brought forward by council.

“Despite being given strong mayor powers, I have committed to my council colleagues that we will continue to work together, as a team, to advance budgets that focus on our shared priorities and execute our strategic plan,” Lovatt said. “Council and staff are unified in our commitment to enhancing the resident experience and I believe the 2024 budget demonstrates just that.”

The budget approves three new full-time hires: a utility locates operator, a skating trail operator and a fire prevention inspector.

Capital highlights of the budget include:

$3,600,000 for the reconstruction of Commercial Street, Library Lane and Mill Street;
$2,264,000 for road and water main reconstruction on O’Brien Avenue;
$1,550,000 for the resurfacing of Bethesda Side Road;
$1,000,000 for Main Street reconstruction (the design portion of Ninth Line to Park Drive).

The 2024-2026 operating and capital budgets, and other supporting documents, are available online at townofws.ca/budget.