Vaughan maintains one of the lowest tax rates in the Greater Toronto Area

Jan. 30, 2018 12:00 a.m.
​2018 Budget continues Council’s commitment to fiscal responsibility
 
The City of Vaughan has a bold vision for the future and is determined to achieve its goals through thoughtful planning, economic leadership and respecting taxpayers’ dollars. For the fourth year in a row, Vaughan Council passed a fiscally responsible budget and kept within the mandate to ensure the property tax rate increase is no more than three per cent.
 
Approved at tonight’s Special Council Meeting, the budget includes a 2.89 per cent property tax increase that will help position the City to deliver on Council’s priorities while continuing to provide residents with good value for their taxes. This year’s budget will build capacity and focus on delivering services effectively and efficiently.
 
The City’s total budget for 2018 is $606.1 million and it includes:
  • Operating budget of $298.3 million – funded by property taxes, and delivers services such as recreation programs, fire rescue and prevention education, waste collection, snow clearing, parks maintenance and community centre operations
  • Water, wastewater and stormwater operating budget of $161.3 million – funded by water program rates, and delivers water, wastewater and stormwater services and provides the resources needed to operate and maintain the City’s infrastructure
  • Capital budget of $146.5 million – funded by various sources, including development charges, infrastructure reserves and gas tax, and funds the construction and maintenance of City infrastructure, including roads, pipes, parks and buildings
QUOTE
 
“As one of the fastest-growing municipalities in Canada, the City of Vaughan has many exciting city-building initiatives underway. Recent achievements in our new downtown – the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) and progress on the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct would not have been possible without strong financial leadership and discipline. But this is just the beginning. Guided by the principles of fiscal responsibility and Service Excellence, we are committed to enhancing the quality of life in Vaughan, and delivering programs and services that best meet the needs of our growing community. Sound fiscal management and strong governance are at the core of this year’s budget. I am proud of what we have been able to achieve while maintaining our promise to keep the tax rate at or below three per cent. I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to Councillor Rosanna DeFrancesca for being the Chair of the Finance, Administration and Audit Committee, staff who had a significant role in making this year’s budget a success and our citizens who provided input. By building a stable financial foundation while maximizing efficiencies, we are continuing to respect taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars and build a great future for Vaughan together.”
– Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua
 
QUICK FACTS
 
  • Citizen engagement is an important component of the budget process and residents were given a variety of opportunities to be involved, including public meetings, social media outreach, an online feedback form and dedicated phone line.
  • Residential property taxes are split between Vaughan (28 per cent), York Region (48 per cent), the Province of Ontario (23 per cent for education) and the Hospital Precinct Development Levy (one per cent).
  • Property taxes are the primary source of funding for more than 200 of the City’s programs and services that individuals and families use and enjoy.
  • The property tax increase represents an additional $54.25 per year or $4.52 per month for a home in Vaughan assessed at $891,000.
  • The property tax increase represents an additional $7.17 annually for commercial property and $8.63 annually for industrial property for each $100,000 of property assessment.
  • During the 2015 budget process, Vaughan Council committed that taxes will not exceed three per cent each year during the 2014-2018 Term of Council ensuring taxes remain low while maintaining service levels and pursuing city-building initiatives.
  • Water and wastewater are regulated services, and must meet legislated requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act, Environmental Protection Act and the Clean Water Act.
  • The average household will pay an additional $8.33 per month or $99.96 annually for water and wastewater, which represents a 9.9 per cent increase over 2017 rates.
  • The City of Vaughan provides safe drinking water to 84,000 residences and 3,100 businesses.
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