York Region has passed its 2024 budget with a 3.75 per cent tax rate increase that will cost the average Newmarket homeowner $88 on that portion of the tax bill.
Council finalized the $4.15-billion budget today, with a tax rate increase that includes one per cent dedicated to savings for the Yonge-North Subway Extension, and the remainder covering general cost and budget increases.
York Region chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson said that he feels optimistic about the new year.
“We are setting the stage for success in years to come. In adopting the 2024 York Region budget, we’re investing in critical programs, services and infrastructure that will support our residents today and build communities for future generations,” Emmerson said.
The tax rate adds about $105 to the average York Region tax bill, with Newmarket’s assessed value skewing lower. This tax rate increase is separate from the Town of Newmarket’s tax rate increase of 3.99 per cent this year, which adds an additional $96 to the average homeowner's property tax bill.
The capital budget dedicates $1 billion for this year, but features an $11.6-billion capital forecast over the next 10 years, funding projects such as 400 community housing units in pre-development stages, including the ones planned for Newmarket on Bayview Parkway. Other projects getting funded over the next 10 years include transit fleet expansion and electrification, 92 new kilometres of road and $48.3 million in 2024 to add 269 kilometres of fibre internet connection in underserved areas.
Another $4.4 billion will go into water and wastewater expansion over the next decade, which will help address capacity issues in Newmarket and the rest of the northern York Region.
Finance commissioner and treasurer Laura Mirabella said the budget is fiscally sustainable and addresses council priorities.
“As we move into the implementation of the budget ahead, we will continue working with our partners in the development community and local municipalities on where infrastructure is needed,” she said. “We will continue responding to the challenges presented by ongoing economic uncertainty.”
Policing gets focus
The York Regional Police budget is increasing by 4.6 per cent, or $18 million, with the organization expecting to add 46 staff. Its total budget for 2024 is $450.4 million.
But councillors once again discussed increasing the police budget even more. This comes with several councillors concerned about crime in the community and reported increases in car thefts and break-ins.
Markham Regional Councillor Michael Chan said residents in the area had brought forward a petition seeking an enhancement to police services.
“People are worried, very concerned. We need the police to strengthen their service,” Chan said.
However, members of the York Region Police Services Board expressed that they examined the issue through that budgeting process and ensured police got everything they asked for.
“The police service board is very well aware of what’s going on in York Region,” Vaughan Regional Councillor Linda Jackson said, but added she sees issues in the laws themselves. “Until, Mr. Chair, we can change the laws in this country, criminals will continue to inundate our communities, break into people’s homes, steal their vehicles. And they will be caught by our wonderful York Regional Police, and a lot of them, they get caught, and it’s catch and release.”
Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca said crime is an issue he hears about. Although he said he is not seeking changes for this year’s budget, it would have to be a bigger discussion in the future, noting many GTA jurisdictions gave their police forces bigger increases.
Emmerson said the region is serious about giving police the correct funds.
“The chief and his team are the professionals. They check the data, and they work on that,” Emmerson said. “I can assure you they are as concerned as you are about the crime that’s happening.”
