Newmarket prepares to pass budgets tonight

Yorkregion.com
April 20, 2015
By Chris Simon

You will likely pay more to own a home in Newmarket soon.

Council is expected to approve its $112.9-million operating and $29.3-million capital budgets during a meeting tonight.

Included in the draft operating budget is an anticipated 3.5-per-cent tax increase - which translates into a $55.75 hike in the town's portion of the residential property tax bill for the average home assessed at about $403,100.

It will also include several service initiatives, including $25,000 in support for Southlake Regional Health Centre's CreateIT Now program, $40,000 for the first phase of a sidewalk snow clearing program and $62,000 for the hiring of a transportation manager later this summer.

"The impact of phasing is that it puts budget pressures on other years," Regional Councillor John Taylor said. "We've heard sidewalk snow clearing is a priority; that's reflected here, but we can't do everything. We're respecting those residents who are asking us to manage the budget as prudently as we possibly can."

The draft capital budget includes 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.

Operating budgets pay for the ongoing expenses incurred by the municipality, such as wages, fuel, hydro and maintenance costs.

Capital budgets usually cover large infrastructure projects - a new recreation facility or road reconstruction, for example - vehicle purchases and other one-time expenses.