Keeping taxes low and investing in a safe and sustainable recovery

MARKHAM, ON – December 15, 2021 – Markham Council approved the City’s 2022 Budget of $533.7M on December 14, including a 1.95 per cent property tax rate increase.

This budget supports the continued delivery of critical City services while making key capital investments in facilities, infrastructure and amenities that support Markham’s strategic goals. The budget also supports a prudent and measured approach to re-opening and recovery.

The 1.95 per cent property tax rate increase is below the rate of inflation and will mean an increase of approximately $25 in property taxes for the average residential household in Markham.

The tax rate increase includes 1.45 per cent for day-to-day operating costs and continues a 0.5 per cent infrastructure investment to ensure there are sufficient funds in City life cycle reserves to repair and replace assets for the next 25 years.

“We are proud of our track record of responsible fiscal management and for maintaining the lowest average tax rate increase in the GTA since 2006,” says Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “I challenged City staff to keep the tax rate low by leveraging efficiencies through the use of technology, realigning services to enhance value in the City’s operations, and modernizing our services, and they have delivered. The support of the federal and provincial governments has been critical to the City and our community as we continue to weather the pandemic, and further assistance will be essential to the recovery effort.”

Major 2022 investments include funding to:

• Make our facilities more sustainable and energy efficient
  $4.2M to develop greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction plans and retrofit solutions for several community centres and new electric vehicle (EV) chargers to support Markham's Corporate Energy Management Plan, Municipal Energy Plan, and Greenprint Sustainability Plan to transition to Net-Zero Energy Emissions (NZEE) by 2050 and reduce the City’s carbon footprint.

• Improve Community services
  $2.8M to expand Markham Public Library’s collections to better support Markham’s diverse community and membership interests.

  $2.0M for renovations and repairs to 10 City facilities and community centres across the city.

• Invest in environmental protection and management
  $1.7M to tackle erosion, protection of fish habitats, to monitor and improve pond water quality, and to conduct an inventory and study of natural heritage systems and other natural areas.

  Continue to increase Markham’s tree canopy to 30 per cent by completing the three-year cycle of the Neighbourhood Tree Maintenance Program.

• Enhance traffic and pedestrian safety
  $1.8M to develop a comprehensive road safety plan, build new pedestrian crossings and traffic signals, and install new multi-use path crossings.
• Grow our green spaces
  $11.8M to extend trails and add four new parks.
• Build strong and resilient communities
  $13.9M to improve storm drainage capacity and to limit flooding risks and $12.4M for water and wastewater infrastructure monitoring, replacements and upgrades.
• Improve road infrastructure
  $16.9M for asphalt resurfacing, pavement preservation and road construction, and repairs to curbs, sidewalks and catchbasins.

For more detailed information on these and other investments, visit markham.ca/budget 

“Markham continues to provide strong fiscal management during this challenging time,” said Budget Chief Councillor Amanda Yeung Collucci. “Council and senior staff knew it was important to deliver the lowest possible property tax rate increase to continue to support the community while delivering value so residents can continue to access the excellent services and infrastructure that our community has come to expect, and to rest assured that we are prepared for the future. This modest increase is well below the current rate of inflation and will help re-open the economy as we recover from this pandemic.”

“Markham continues our long-term commitment to build community resilience and mitigate against flooding,” said Budget Vice-Chair Councillor Andrew Keyes. “This 2022 budget also ensures there are sufficient funds in the Life Cycle Replacement and Capital Reserve for the rehabilitation and replacement of City infrastructure for the next 25 years.”

“Throughout the pandemic, the City of Markham has taken a fiscally responsible approach to managing our finances, and we are now cautiously reintroducing services while adhering to strict COVID-19 protocols,” said Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “We are creating resilient neighbourhoods and preparing to meet climate challenges with key critical investments in flood control and stormwater management, and expansion of parks and greenspace. The continued investment in our infrastructure is evident with the recent opening of our new East Markham Operations Yard. The new yard will enhance efficiency and improve Winter maintenance response times to better serve our community now and into the future.”

Markham collects property taxes on behalf of York Region and the Province of Ontario. Residential property taxes support York Region and education with 52 per cent of all Markham taxes going to York Region. The City of Markham retains approximately 24 per cent of the taxes collected with the remaining 24 per cent going to the Province for education.

From top to bottom (L to R): Budget Chief and Councillor Amanda Yeung Collucci, Budget Committee Vice-Chair and Councillor Andrew Keyes, and Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti announce the 2022 Budget via virtual press conference on December 15, 2021.
 

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Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti's Office:
At mayorscarpitti@markham.ca.

All other media inquiries / interview requests for the City of Markham:
Jennifer Yap, Coordinator, Communications and Media Relations at jyap@markham.ca or 437.229.2450.

For COVID-19 announcements from the City of Markham: 
Visit markham.ca/covid19 or listen to 105.9 The Region – Markham’s information and emergency radio station.

About Markham: Markham, an award-winning municipality with over 351,000 residents and the largest of nine communities in York Region, is home to over 650 corporate head offices and more than 1,500 high tech and life science companies. Markham is a leader in attracting foreign direct investment with more than 240 foreign companies located in the City. Founded in the 1790s, today Markham is Canada’s most diverse community and enjoys a rich heritage, outstanding community planning and services, and a vibrant local economy. Markham has received the Excellence Canada Gold Award for Organizational Quality & Healthy Workplace, and multiple heritage and environmental awards.

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