Budget 2024: Learn more about the process

The City of Vaughan’s 2024 Budget process is underway. It takes a lot of planning to create a budget for a city the size of Vaughan. Learn more about how it works and get involved! 

Each year, the City creates a budget to determine how tax dollars are allocated – from recreational programs and waste collection to snow removal and fire services. The property tax budget and the water, wastewater and stormwater budget are discussed at the same time. The 2024 Budget will be built on a foundation of respect for taxpayers, reaffirm the City’s ongoing commitment to delivering Service Excellence, and outline a progressive plan to move the city forward. 

This is the first year the Government of Ontario’s Bill 3, the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, will be in effect. It introduced new requirements for the adoption of a City budget. In turn, Mayor Steven Del Duca will table the City of Vaughan’s 2024 Budget later this month. 

PUBLIC MEETINGS

Public meetings to discuss the 2024 Budget will be held at Vaughan City Hall on:

• Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. – Special Committee of the Whole (Public Meeting)
• Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. – Special Committee of the Whole (Public Meeting)

Meeting agendas can be found online at vaughan.ca/CouncilMeetings. These meetings can also be watched live from vaughan.ca/LiveCouncil.

GET INVOLVED

The City invites and encourages residents and local businesses to learn more about Vaughan’s promising future. There are many ways to get involved in the budget process:

• have your say at a budget meeting by speaking to Council
• comment on social media using #VaughanBudget2024
• fill out the online feedback form
• leave a voicemail on the Budget Hotline at 905-832-8610
• email questions and comments to budgeting@vaughan.ca
• learn about the budget at vaughan.ca/budget

ABOUT THE BUDGET

The City has a sound approach to public finances – the focus is on keeping property tax rates low, respecting taxpayers’ money and delivering quality public services that residents, businesses and visitors rely on each day. The goal is to ensure the budget is rooted in fiscal sustainability and serves to secure greater efficiencies and maximize every dollar the City is entrusted to invest. In fact, Vaughan has one of the lowest tax rates in the GTA. 

A municipalities’ budget is made up of two parts: Operating – spent on running City facilities, programs and services – and Capital – spent on projects that include building and repairing City infrastructure, such as roads and buildings. To fund the operating and capital budgets in Vaughan, annual revenues are generated. The main sources of revenue are:

• Property taxes – The property tax bill is divided between the City of Vaughan, York Region and the York Region English and French school boards for education. Vaughan uses its portion of the property tax to pay for City programs and services.
• User fees and service charges – These are paid by residents and businesses when accessing certain services, such as recreation programs and permits.
• Development charges – These are paid by developers and are used to help fund growth-related capital projects, such as roads, pipes, libraries and fire halls.
• Water and wastewater rates and stormwater charge – These are paid by residents and businesses for water related services to ensure the City can provide safe drinking water, collect wastewater effectively, manage stormwater to mitigate flooding and save for future infrastructure needs.

For more information, visit vaughan.ca/budget. 

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