Markham in process of approving 2016 budget

YorkRegion.com
Dec. 7, 2015
Amanda Persico

Markham is in the process of approving its budget and the city wants to hear from you.

The city is looking at a 2.41 per cent increase, which includes a 1 per cent infrastructure surcharge.

That means an extra $29.40 a year on the average $597,000 Markham home and an additional $16.39 on the average $333,000 Markham condo unit.

But that’s not the only line taxing your wallet – tack on the region’s portion of property taxes of $64, the residential stormwater fee of $47 and the proposed water and wastewater rate increase of $56.

That’s an additional $194 a year for the average homeowner.

The city’s proposed 2.41 per cent tax rate increase is among the lowest in the GTA, compared to 2.45 per cent in Oakville, 3 per cent in Vaughan, 3.85 per cent in Burlington and 5 per cent in both Brampton and Mississauga.

Some of the major budget drivers for this year include city staff increases at the Cornell Fire Station, Pan Am Centre and the southeast community centre and library.

Not to mention new staff for new facilities such as the Markham Sports Park, Milliken Mills library expansion and a new operations works yard – all of which still require council approval.

Another major driver is growth, with an additional 19 kilometres of road that require maintenance, cleaning and plowing, 865 new street lights to power and maintain and 28 additional hectares of park lands to maintain.

The city is hosting a public meeting Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. for residents to learn more about 2016 budget.

There will be a general committee Dec. 15, 6 p.m. immediately followed by a council meeting at 7 p.m. to approve the budget.

For more information, visit markham.ca

SIDEBAR
Making sense of cents:
Here is a breakdown of city’s capital budget:

• $12.55 million – about 70 acres of new park design and construction split between some 20 different park projects;
• $12.35 million – Hwy. 404 ramp extension, north of Hwy. 7;
• $9.55 million – Verclair Gate bridge over the Rouge River;
• $8.63 million – Miller Avenue extension from Woodbine Avenue to Rodick Road, plus $1.86 million for extension between Warden Avenue and Birchmount Road;
• $7.82 million – improvements to community centres and libraries and fire stations;
• $6.62 million – watermain and sanitary sewer construction;
• $6.58 million – west Thornhill flood control program;
• $5.54 million – roads rehabilitation program;
• $4.13 million – Emerald Ash Borer program, the fourth year in a five-year program;
• $4 million – investment in Markham District Energy Inc.;
• $3.24 million – multi-use pathway construction;
• $2.14 million – library collections;
• $1.57 million – fire and emergency services;
• $930,000 – Hwy. 404 bridge, north of Hwy. 7. The overall cost of the bridge is $38.44 million split between Markham, Richmond Hill and York Region. Markham’s total portion is $12.5 million;
• $520,000 – sports field maintenance and court resurfacing;
• $410,000 – traffic signals and traffic improvements;
• $190,000 – waste management initiatives, including textile recycling;
• $120,000 – trees for tomorrow program