Newmarket wants $55.75 more from you in 2015

YorkRegion.com
Feb. 25, 2015
Chris Simon

It looks like your town taxes could increase by about 3.5 per cent this year.

Council will likely ask staff to proceed with the draft 2015 operating budget that includes the proposed hike on the town’s portion of the property tax bill — a nearly $55.75 bump for the average residential home assessed at about $403,100 — during a meeting Monday night.

Late last year, council asked staff to keep any potential tax increase to between 2 and 2.5 per cent. However, that request didn’t include funding for the municipality’s asset replacement fund infrastructure levy, treasurer Mike Mayes said.

“We’re investing in our future. Staff is recommending 1 per cent as a starting point for 2015.”

Mayor Tony Van Bynen said the numbers are not yet set in stone.

“We’ve covered a lot of ground,” he said. “It’s preliminary; the starting point for our discussions.”

Council hosted its latest round of budget deliberations earlier this week. Newmarket’s draft $26.97-million capital budget was also unveiled during the discussions. If approved as planned, it would include a $6.7-million water meter replacement program, $5.65 million in road improvements, $1.17 million in Yonge Street upgrades, a $1-million artificial turf sports field at Dr. J.M. Denison Secondary School and a $900,000 Central York Fire Services pumper truck.

“I’d like to know why that’s there,” Councillor Tom Vegh said, referring to the sports turf, adding other recreational amenities are being referred to the town’s recreational playbook.

Decisions on most large recreation projects have been delayed while the town develops its long-term master plan. However, the turf field should proceed because the York Region District School Board is willing to fund a large portion of the shared facility, town staff said.

Others had issues with the way the information was circulated by staff.

“I know it’s only draft, but the appearance is we’d be taking it out,” Regional Councillor John Taylor said. “We got a report a week in advance for budget deliberations. It’s good information, but we’re getting a lot of verbal explanation… I’m really struggling… particularly with getting things in advance. I can’t take it all in. There could be options for further reductions, but it gives us something to work by.”

The draft budget will face several pressures in 2015. Utility costs are expected to increase by about 5 per cent, while the Consumer Price Index estimates inflation will climb by nearly 2.5 per cent.

Increases in wages, benefits and insurance premiums, the re-opening of Old Town Hall, emerald ash borer treatment and growth-related costs all contribute, too.

SIDEBAR

WEIGH IN: Town hall meeting on budget takes place March 23 or go to newmarket.ca for more info.