Building on our success: Mayor Bevilacqua
Council approves 2019
Budget and 2020-2022 Financial Plan
The
following is a statement by Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua following the unanimous
approval of the City’s 2019 Budget and 2020-2022 Financial Plan, passed during
a Special Council Meeting on Feb. 20.
“The
2019 Budget and 2020-2022 Financial Plan is a blueprint that responsibly
manages taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars, while at the same time safeguards
investments for the quality public services businesses rely on each day.
“I want
to acknowledge Ward 3 Councillor Rosanna DeFrancesca for serving as Chair of
the Finance, Administration and Audit Committee. Let me further recognize all
Council colleagues, members of our administration and the citizens of Vaughan
for stepping up and speaking out on ways we should prioritize our investment
efforts.
“Building
on the success of the last eight years, we have once again passed a budget that
ensures the property tax rate increase is no greater than three per cent.
Vaughan continues to maintain one of the lowest and most competitive tax rates
in the Greater Toronto Area.
“We
continue to secure efficiencies and maximize every dollar we are entrusted to
manage. Since 2015, we have saved nearly $30 million in tax dollars because of
our commitment to continuous improvement.
“Today,
the vast majority of citizens believe they are getting good value for their tax
dollars. With our new budget in place, we can continue to confidently press
ahead with the many transformational city-building initiatives that are shaping
Vaughan’s promising future.
“The
2019 Budget and 2020-2022 Financial Plan is the manifestation of our collective
efforts concentrated on the goal of making our city the best it can be. As we
undertake this Term of Council, we see a Vaughan that is a nationally acclaimed
leader in city-building.
“In
Vaughan, we use best practices to guarantee fiscal sustainability and
credibility. The 2019 Budget and 2020-2022 Financial Plan is built upon these
bedrock principles which guide our efforts to secure greater efficiencies and
maximize every dollar we are entrusted to manage by the people of our great
city.
“I also
want to reflect on Vaughan’s remarkable prosperity from 2010 onward. There has
been no shortage of transformational accomplishments, including the ongoing
construction of the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital, the arrival of TTC subway
service to Vaughan and the opening of Phase One of the new 900-acre North Maple
Regional Park – which will be larger than New York City’s very own Central Park
– among so many other achievements.
“We also
recently celebrated that arrival of Niagara University to the Vaughan
Metropolitan Centre – the first ever university in Vaughan and York Region. It
has been my dream to bring a university to Vaughan. With focus, discipline and
excellent partners, this dream has come true.
“According
to highlights from the 2018 Citizen Satisfaction Survey, 97 per cent of
residents enjoy their quality of life in Vaughan, while 91 per cent are
satisfied with the excellent public services we deliver each day.
“We
continue to maintain our forward-looking momentum. The next four years, and
beyond, are about creating the right environment to help our city reach new and
unprecedented heights. Today’s Vaughan has limitless possibilities. We will continue
to create a community where citizens can live happy, healthy, safe and
fulfilling lives, and where no one is left behind.”
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