Statement: Building a strong future
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Mayor Bevilacqua reflects on the City of Vaughan’s 2020 Budget
Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua issued the following statement after Council approved the City of Vaughan’s 2020 Budget and 2021-2022 Financial Plan. Mayor Bevilacqua further reflected on the City’s record of accomplishments over the past twelve months:
Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua issued the following statement after Council approved the City of Vaughan’s 2020 Budget and 2021-2022 Financial Plan. Mayor Bevilacqua further reflected on the City’s record of accomplishments over the past twelve months:
“The City of Vaughan’s budget process has come to an end and I wish to thank everyone who participated.
“The City’s 2020 Budget and 2021-2022 Financial Plan is the road map that guides our efforts to build a better, more promising future for all citizens. Our budget is rooted in fiscal sustainability and credibility. It secures greater efficiencies and maximizes every dollar we are entrusted to invest by the people of our great city.
“Today, Council unanimously approved a tax rate increase of 2.85 per cent. I am proud that Vaughan continues to maintain one of the lowest tax rates in the Greater Toronto Area. We continuously pass budgets with a property tax rate at or below three per cent. In fact, more than $30 million in budget savings has been realized since 2015.
“Since 2010, we have made enormous strides in our city-building efforts, including the ongoing construction of the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital — Canada’s first smart hospital, the arrival of the subway in Vaughan and the grand opening of Niagara University — Vaughan’s first university. All of these milestones are transformational victories that are unique to our city.
“An integral part of moving Vaughan forward is a well-developed transit and transportation network. Creating new connections to surrounding communities and making it easier for people to get where they need to go will contribute immensely to our continued success. Higher-order transit provides a huge advantage for attracting residents, businesses and talent to Vaughan. This includes the new Yonge Street Subway Extension, which will continue to enhance our city as a destination of choice.
“We are also committed to leveraging the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct with strong partners from the innovation, health and academic fields. We have a mission to protect the natural environment for the well-being of future generations and we are focusing on diversifying our local economy.
“By working side-by-side, we are achieving excellence. I want to recognize my Council colleagues, members of our administration, led by Interim City Manager Tim Simmonds, and the citizens of Vaughan for actively contributing to our budget process to help prioritize our investments. The 2020 Budget and 2021-2022 Financial Plan are the manifestation of our combined efforts focused on the ultimate goal of making our city the place to be. I want to further express my gratitude to Local and Regional Councillor, and Deputy Mayor, Mario Ferri, as well as Ward 5 Councillor Alan Shefman, for chairing the Budget meetings this year. We all collectively appreciate their efforts.
“I know 2020 will be a year of unprecedented opportunity for Vaughan. This is in large part because Council today passed a budget and financial plan built on our defining values of integrity, accountability and responsibility. It positions us to maintain the momentum that has embodied the last twelve months – and to press ahead with the transformational initiatives that define our bright future.
“Together, we will continue to build a city that is respected for its entrepreneurial spirit and renowned for its responsible planning and economic leadership. A city that is revered for its environmental stewardship, recognized for its first-class administration and management of taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars, and elevated by the dedication of its people to be agents of positive change.
“As 2019 comes to an end, we have much to celebrate. Vaughan now has its first university, a vibrant downtown and 750 hectares of City parks and greenspace, including the 900-acre North Maple Regional Park. There are many exciting initiatives to look forward to in 2020, including the opening of Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital. Since 2010, we have seen 60,000 new jobs created and an economic growth rate of four per cent — year over year.
“Vaughan continues to flourish as a diverse, inclusive and welcoming city. Celebrations like the Christmas Tree Lighting, Lunar New Year and the upcoming Menorah Lighting ceremonies have become popular annual traditions. As have our Heritage Month Celebrations, such as Black History Month, Jewish Heritage Month, National Indigenous History Month and Italian Heritage Month, which have all been commemorated in 2019.
“Bringing people together is what we do in Vaughan and we saw this with the 10th anniversary of Culture Days, the 25th anniversary of the Concerts in the Park series, the 30th anniversary of Winterfest and the first annual Music in the Square celebration in the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre.
“We can take great pride in knowing the most recent Citizen Satisfaction Survey found that 97 per cent of residents are happy with their quality of life here in our city. This is because we have a standard of living that is second to none.
“The promise of a new year will mark countless other milestones and I look forward to achieving them together.”