Monday, January 29, 2024

Mayor Frank Scarpitti tables Budget 2024

A focus on taxpayers, affordability and community priorities

MARKHAM, ON – January 29, 2024 – Today, Mayor Frank Scarpitti presented A Strong Markham: Budget 2024 of $590.5M, continuing its proven track record of strong fiscal leadership. This year’s responsible budget acknowledges the challenges our community is facing, while ensuring we continue to deliver excellent quality services that residents and businesses have come to expect both now and into the future.

The budget was designed to reinforce a strong city for both residents and businesses. It includes a property tax rate increase of 2.99%. This represents an increase of $39.98 on the City portion of the tax bill for the average home in Markham. Markham continues to have the lowest average tax rate increase in the GTA over 19 consecutive years. For seniors, the new Low-Income Seniors Property Tax Assistance Program demonstrates how Markham is supporting low-income seniors to stay healthy and aging in place.

“We continue to operate as an efficient government and we are proud of our fiscal management, while never compromising the high standard of service we enjoy,” said Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “Markham continues to flourish as a forward-thinking community, and we have created a strong and responsible budget rooted in sound investment and a record of fiscal prudence. We continue to invest in new infrastructure, while maintaining our assets in a state of good repair. Budget 2024 supports important initiatives such as meeting the provincial target of building 44,000 homes over the next 10 years, while providing relief for a community grappling with higher costs of living. Together, we are always working for a strong Markham.”

Recognizing the financial realities residents face today, Markham’s Budget 2024 demonstrates a lean and efficient approach to prudent fiscal management. Maintaining assets in a good state of repair, while proactively planning for the future, ensures the City is:

Investing in road repairs, rehabilitation and traffic management improvements ($56.0M)
Constructing and maintaining our parks and trails ($14.7M)
Preparing responsibly for changing climate conditions. This year’s investment of $10.9M will include flood control, stormwater management construction, ponds and culverts.
Incorporating leading-edge technology to modernize systems and services ($5.8M for systems and technology infrastructure)
Taking positive steps towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 ($1.8M in green initiatives and environmental strategies)

Markham residents and business owners are proud of our city. Our community survey told us that over 90% of residents are satisfied with their quality of life in Markham and close to 80% believe they get good value from the City for their tax dollar.

This year’s budget continues Markham’s efforts to streamline service delivery. From 2009 to 2024, the City’s Excellence through Efficiency and Effectiveness (E3) Program will have delivered $35.6M in annual operating savings, equal to a tax rate increase avoidance of 28.12%.

As part of the City’s ongoing efforts for budget transparency, a Public Meeting has been scheduled for Budget 2024 on February 15 at 7PM.

Resources:

Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti presents A Strong Markham: Budget 2024 to City of Markham Treasurer Joseph Silva on January 29, 2024.

Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti presents A Strong Markham: Budget 2024 during a Special Council Meeting.

Mayor Frank Scarpitti and members of Markham Council (from left to right: Ward 1 Councillor Keith Irish; Ward 2 Councillor Ritch Lau; Ward 3 Councillor Reid McAlpine; Ward 4 Councillor Karen Rea; Regional Councillor Alan Ho; Deputy Mayor Michael Chan; Mayor Frank Scarpitti; Regional Councillor Jim Jones; Ward 5 Councillor Andrew Keyes; Ward 6 Councillor Amanda Yeung Collucci; Ward 7 Councillor Juanita Nathan; Ward 8 Councillor Isa Lee)

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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:
media@markham.ca

About Markham: Markham, an award-winning municipality with more than 357,000 residents and the largest of nine communities in York Region, is home to over 650 headquartered companies and more than 1,500 high tech and life science companies. Markham is a leader in attracting foreign direct investment with more than 234 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.

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