Watch live: Vaughan’s first public budget meeting is tonight at 7 p.m.

Dec. 2, 2020 11:00 a.m.
​Tune in at vaughan.ca/LiveCouncil as the City tables draft 2021 Budget and 2022 Financial Plan
 
Tonight at 7 p.m., the City of Vaughan will hold the first of three public meetings to discuss the 2021 Budget and 2022 Financial Plan. During this electronic-participation Special Committee of the Whole meeting, citizens will have the opportunity to speak live to Council and learn more about how their hard-earned tax dollars are being invested. Residents are invited to tune in to tonight’s meeting virtually by watching the live stream at vaughan.ca/LiveCouncil.
 
The budget process is an important part of governance. As the city continues to grow and evolve, Council’s vision is rooted in its sense of fiscal responsibility, transparency and accountability. The objective is to provide a balance between investing in the community and maintaining financial sustainability while minimizing the impact of tax and utility rate increases on Vaughan’s residents and businesses.
 
The citizen-focused budget outlined in the 2021 Budget reflects the goal of moving the city forward while also delivering more than 200 daily programs and services more effectively and efficiently. It builds upon the strong fiscal foundation that has been created for the growing community and embraces sustainable growth that considers the need to expand with opportunities to enrich lives through arts, culture, parks, trails and recreation. In addition, it delivers on the City’s mission of Citizens First Through Service Excellence, invests in the community’s future and factors in the impacts of COVID-19.
 
The City’s draft 2021 Budget includes an operating budget of $488.8 million and capital investments of $290.8 million to support and advance the Mayor and Members of Council’s long-term vision. The City’s operating and capital budget has two distinct components: property tax-supported budget (which funds the many programs and services families rely on, including garbage collection, snow clearing and fire prevention education) and the water, wastewater rate and stormwater charge-supported budget (which funds water-related services to ensure the City can provide safe drinking water, collect wastewater effectively, manage stormwater to mitigate flooding and safeguard investments for future infrastructure needs).
 
Vaughan maintains one of the lowest and most competitive tax rates in the Greater Toronto Area. In fact, Mayor and Members of Council have once again delivered on their promise to keep property tax increases low – the draft property tax-supported operating budget for 2021 includes a zero per cent property tax increase. The increase for the water and wastewater rate supported operating budget is $0.1325 per cubic metre, or 2.9 per cent.
 
The 2021 capital budget is also presented with proposed projects for 2021 and a forecast capital plan for 2022. These investments help the City grow sustainably and funds are spent on building and repairing City infrastructure, including roads, pipes and buildings. In support of the 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan, the budget and plan propose the following in support of major infrastructure projects:
 
  • $242 million in capital projects related to Transportation and Mobility. This will help maintain the City’s existing road infrastructure and construct new roads to improve the flow of traffic around the city. Some major projects planned include the reconstruction of Huntington Road, the Kirby Road extension, the design and construction of two pedestrian-utility bridges at Pine Valley North, various road rehabilitation projects throughout the municipality, the construction of a number of road extensions within the VMC and the extension of Bass Pro Mills Drive.
  • $121.3 million in capital projects related to City-Building. This includes the design and construction of the new Carrville Community Centre, District Park and Library, the North Maple Regional Park development, the Garnet A. Williams Community Centre renovation and the Maple Community Centre office space and library renovations.
  • $85.3 million in capital projects related to Environmental Stewardship. These initiatives will foster a sustainable future and preserve and protect the natural environment. The two largest projects include the Black Creek channel renewal and stormwater management improvements at various locations throughout the city.
  • $50.1 million for capital projects related to Active, Safe and Diverse Communities. This will include facilities and programs that help enrich our communities, including the new Vaughan Metropolitan Centre YMCA, library and recreation space, which is currently under construction and is expected to open in 2021; a new fire station location – Fire Station 7-12; a city-wide Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure Implementation Program; and a Playground Replacement and Improvement Program.
  • $200,000 in capital projects for Economic Prosperity, Investment and Social Capital. Projects will help advance economic opportunities, attract new investments in Vaughan and enable a climate for job creation.
  • $800,000 in capital projects related to Good Governance. These initiatives will ensure transparency and accountability, demonstrate value for money and showcase Vaughan’s commitment to financial stewardship.
  • $30 million for capital projects related to Citizen Experience. This includes programs that demonstrate commitment to citizen service and transform services through technology.
  • $37 million in capital projects related to Operational Performance. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, the City will use data-driven decision-making and promote innovation.
  • $400,000 in capital projects for Staff Engagement. These initiatives will empower staff, develop leadership skills and help manage performance.  
The 2021 Budget Book and 2022 Financial Plan (PDF) further details how the City’s revenues and other sources of funds are allocated to programs, services, and maintaining and building infrastructure.
 
As public consultation is a vital component in the budget process, residents are encouraged to join the conversation and help shape Vaughan’s promising future. The next public meeting to discuss the draft budget is Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. A Special Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. to approve the draft budget.
 
While Vaughan City Hall remains closed to the public, citizens can get involved by:
  • speaking live via teleconference to Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Members of Council during the meeting. To pre-register to be an electronic speaker, send a completed Request to Speak for Electronic Meetings form (PDF) to clerks@vaughan.ca or call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281. Participants will be provided instructions on how to connect to the meeting. A test meeting will also be held before every electronic-participation meeting to allow participants to test their connection and software. Members of the public can connect through their own computer, smartphone or tablet.
  • speaking live from a telephone (regular landline or cellphone) during the meeting. To pre-register to be a telephone speaker, please contact the Office of the City Clerk at clerks@vaughan.ca or call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281.
  • submitting a written communication for review by Members of Council as part of an agenda item. All written communications can be emailed to the Office of the City Clerk at clerks@vaughan.ca.
  • watching a livestream of the City’s budget meetings at vaughan.ca/LiveCouncil. A video feed will become available at the start of each meeting.  
Meeting agendas can be found online at vaughan.ca/CouncilMeetings.
 
Beyond participating in public budget meetings, there are many other ways to get involved in the budget process:
  • Provide input through an online budget feedback form at vaughan.ca/budget.
  • Join the conversation on the City’s Twitter, Instagram and Facebook pages using #VaughanBudget2021.
  • Email any questions or comments to the City at budgeting@vaughan.ca.
  • Call 905-832-8610 to leave a message that will be shared with staff.
  • Subscribe to the City’s eNewsletter for regular updates. 
In 2017, Council endorsed the Financial Sustainability Guiding Principles, which represent responsible fiscal management, and provide a conceptual approach to making responsible decisions that address short- and long-term financial impacts. There are three guiding principles, each mirroring a category of financial pressure experienced in Vaughan due to the rapid pace of growth: consideration towards existing service levels, growth pays for growth, and new initiatives to enhance the city.
 
Vaughan’s comprehensive budget process is a testament to the City’s sound approach to public finances and dedication to accountable governance, a priority outlined in the 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan.
 
For additional details on the City’s 2021 Budget process, visit vaughan.ca/budget. Browse Vaughan’s 2021 Budget Book (PDF) for more information on what makes up the budget, what the budget funds and where your tax dollars go.
 
QUOTE
 
“The City of Vaughan's sound approach to public finances and commitment to open, accountable and transparent governance is fundamental to our ongoing success. The 2021 Budget and 2022 Financial Plan is the road map that will guide our efforts to build a better, more promising future for all citizens. Our budget is rooted in fiscal sustainability and serves to secure greater efficiencies and maximize every dollar we are entrusted to invest by the people of our city. Delivering a zero per cent tax increase in the City's 2021 Budget is a priority for myself and all Members of Council. Relief is at the heart of our COVID-19 recovery efforts, and the City of Vaughan remains dedicated to supporting residents and businesses during these unprecedented times. I proudly announce that the City of Vaughan will receive the 2020 Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). This will be the twelfth consecutive year that the City of Vaughan has received this prestigious award. This award acknowledges governments that prepare and issue budget documents of the highest quality and standards. The City's track record stands as a testament to our fiscal leadership, good governance and ongoing efforts to mitigate the financial impacts of COVID-19 in our city. We must continue the momentum to reach new and unprecedented heights. Our plan lays the foundation to build a strong future and for generations to come.”
– Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua
 
QUICK FACTS
 
  • The 2021 Budget and 2022 Financial Plan was developed with commitments to investing in the community’s future, building on the citizen experience, and providing the most value to residents. It also factors in the impacts of COVID-19, which has created unprecedented challenges for the municipal, provincial, national and global economy.
  • The 2021 Budget Book was created to help citizens, staff and Council understand how taxpayers’ dollars are invested, what funds the budget and what key capital infrastructure projects are planned.
  • The City’s 2021 Budget includes an operating budget and capital investments to support and advance the priorities in the Council-approved 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan.
  • The City Vaughan has one of the lowest and most competitive tax rates in the Greater Toronto Area. In fact, the property tax-supported operating budget for 2021 includes a zero per cent property tax increase.
  • Residential property taxes are split between Vaughan (27 per cent), York Region (49 per cent), the Province of Ontario (23 per cent for local school boards) and the Hospital Precinct Levy (one per cent).
  • Additional electronic-participation public budget meetings will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. and Tuesday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. A live stream will be made available at vaughan.ca/LiveCouncil.
  • Public feedback is an important component of the budget process. Many opportunities for involvement are available, including speaking live to Council during virtual public meetings, an online feedback form and a dedicated phone line. Learn more at vaughan.ca/HaveYourSay.
 
LEARN MORE
 
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