Aurora’s 2016 budget hikes taxes by 1.8%

Yorkregion.com
Dec. 10, 2015
By Teresa Latchford

The average Aurora homeowner can expect to pay an additional $31 in property taxes next year.

Council gave a final thumbs up to its 2016 budget earlier this week that will add an additional 1.8 per cent to the residential tax levy.

That means residents will pay an additional $6.20 for every $100,000 their home is worth.

“This is both the earliest and lowest budget approval since I have worked for the town,” finance director Dan Elliott said. “I am very pleased with the outcome.”

Elliott credits the ease of this year’s budget process to the new approach town staff and council took to work through the document.

Previously, town staff would present a draft budget and council would proceed to review it line-by-line, making for a tedious process. But, this year, council first provided its target of 1.8 per cent and pointed out key areas of interest where money could be saved.

Even with the 1.8 per cent hike, the town will increase contributions to infrastructure reserves equal to 1 per cent of the tax levy, reducing the town’s reliance on interest from the hydro reserve from $300,000 to $200,000. It will also phase in Central York Fire Services cost increases and provide enhanced funding to the Aurora Cultural Centre, as well as funding to support a pending sports tourism plan, live music strategy and new community multicultural celebration event.

“I am very happy to see this budget and that we have been able to reduce our reliance on the hydro reserve,” Councillor Harold Kim said. “Not only does staff deserve a pat on the back but I think council does too.”

Councillor Tom Mrakas said he was specifically impressed with the efficient budget while still maintaining and, even, in some cases, improving service levels.

When combined with the $12.4-million capital budget to rehabilitate roads, waterlines and other town-owned infrastructure council approved in October, the total budget for 2016 will be $58.2 million.

“Council set an aggressive 2016 budget target that respects the economic and financial pressures families in our community are facing,” Mayor Geoff Dawe said, pointing out this levy is the lowest in a decade.

“This budget maintains our services and improves the town’s future financial sustainability for infrastructure renewals.”

While the 2016 budget has been approved, Councillor Michael Thompson said the work still isn’t complete. The town’s finance committee will continue to work with every department and go line-by-line to see if any further efficiencies or savings can be found.