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Property Tax & Water Budgets and Annual Reports

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Members of Council and City staff aim to give Markham residents value for their tax dollars.

Markham Mayor Scarpitti presented A Markham Milestone: Budget 2025 of $674.7M, continuing its focus on community building while keeping Markham affordable. The tax rate increase of 3.88% means $53.54 for the average Markham home.

Watch the video of Mayor Frank Scarpitti tabling Budget 2025:

Understand Your City Budget & Stay Informed!

Understand Your Water Rate 

2025 Budget

On October 28, 2024 Mayor Scarpitti presented the City of Markham’s Budget 2025 of $674.7M.

Resources:

2025 Budget Highlights

Responsible Markham 

The City of Markham’s proposed budget for 2025 is $674.7 million. 

  • Markham will have a $296.2 million primary operating budget. It is primarily funded through property taxes and supports general day-to-day operations and service delivery. 
  • The proposed property tax rate increase in 2025 is 3.88%. This represents an increase of $53.54 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 20 consecutive years. 

  • $178.9 million in capital funding to deliver 231 projects supporting a wide array of City programs and services. 

  • $74.4 million of the capital budget relates to new infrastructure to service Markham’s growing communities. This includes projects such as new storm sewer, watermain and road network construction, parks, green spaces, and pedestrian crossings and traffic signals. 

  • $104.5 million is to keep the existing community infrastructure in a good state of repair. This includes projects to repair and refurbish existing roads, recreation, library and cultural facilities and amenities.

  • A 3.05% water rate increase is included to support water and wastewater services, representing an increase of $31.51 for the average home in Markham. The majority of this increase results from the cost of purchasing water from the City of Toronto, through York Region. 

Building Markham 

Markham will continue to manage growth by building infrastructure that builds complete, safe and connected communities. Investments include: 

  • $43.7 million for Victoria Square Boulevard and Woodbine Avenue storm sewer and watermain construction
  • $8.4 million for sidewalks 
  • $5.3 million for road widening and construction 
  • $3.1 million for traffic signals and pedestrian crossings 
  • $3.0 million for new parks (York Downs East North Parkette, Breczy Glen Roman, Royal Orchard Parkette, Berczy Glen Rinas Parkette) 
  • $0.6 million for new trails (Markham Centre) 

Resilient Markham 

$104.5 million of the 2025 capital budget will maintain our existing assets in a state of good repair, prepare for changing climate conditions and support our goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. Key examples include: 

  • $22.4 million for Markham Village flood control Phase 1B construction
  • $10.4 million for asphalt resurfacing and curb, sidewalk and parking lot repairs 
  • $10.4 million for Cast Iron Watermain CIPP lining construction 
  • $9.0 million for repair and rehabilitation for recreation, libraries, cultural facilities and related amenities 
  • $7.0 million for erosion restoration at Mill street 
  • $4.1 million for parks maintenance, playground and court rehabilitation and replacements 
  • $1.4 million for roofing at City facilities 
  • $1.0 million for tree canopy and Trees for Tomorrow Program

Inclusive Markham 

The City strives to be welcoming, inclusive and accessible to meet the needs of our diverse community. Highlights include: 

  • $4.5 million for Active Transportation Master Plan construction and programs
  • $1.5 million will fund upgrades and improve accessibility in parks and playgrounds to meet AODA requirements
  • $0.2 million for accessibility, diversity, equity and inclusion projects 
  • In 2024, the City of Markham, in partnership with Destination Markham, hosted the 50th anniversary celebration of the Little Native Hockey League (LNHL) Cultural Festival and Gala Celebration. After successfully hosting the event, the City secured a Three-Year Hosting Agreement with the LNHL from 2025 to 2027.
  • In 2025, Markham will increase the budget for community events and programs through its Celebrate Markham Grant Program. Based on a formula of $1.25 per capita, the funding envelope for Celebrate Markham will increase by $92,500 to $462,500. Budget 2025 will increase the funding for major festivals and signature events of Citywide importance.

Budget 2025 Schedule 

Budget News Releases

Mayor Frank Scarpitti tables Budget 2025

Prior Years:

Budget Archive

For the past 20 years in a row, the City of Markham's annual budget document has received The Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. This award is given by the Government Financial Officers Association (GFOA):

Previous Budget Documents:

Annual Reports

City of Markham annual reports include audited financial statements as well as a look at how the City is spending money and delivering services.

For 22 years in a row, the City of Markham’s annual reports have received the Canadian Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting. This award is given by the Government Financial Officers Association (GFOA).

Annual Report Documents

Annual Report Archive

Municipal Performance Measurement Program

Municipal Performance Measurement Program

The Municipal Performance Measurement Program (MPMP) is an Ontario government project. Cities measure their performance in several areas and show the results to taxpayers.

The program helps you understand what you get for your tax dollars. It also helps cities share and compare results.

The City of Markham gives its MPMP results to the province each year. We also publish a report with our results.

Please note:

For more information, please contact the Financial Services Department at 905.477.7000.

City of Markham MPMP Results

Federal Gas Tax Projects

Permanent and Predictable Funding for Municipal Infrastructure

The Federal Gas Tax Fund is a permanent source of funding established in 2005 to support investments in local infrastructure. The Fund currently transfers $2.1 billion to Canadian municipalities each year; the City of Markham received over $85 million between 2005 and 2017.

Funds are distributed to the City of Markham through the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). AMO administers the federal Gas Tax Fund to all Ontario municipalities except the City of Toronto and allocates funding to municipalities on a per capita basis.

The predictable and flexible funding provided by the federal Gas Tax Fund allows municipalities to plan for the future and address local priorities. The City of Markham has invested its share of the federal Gas Tax Fund in 64 projects to date – extending the reach of district energy plants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, constructing new paths and trails to increasing opportunities for cycling and walking, and supporting the City’s efforts to keep infrastructure in a state of good repair.

 

Contact

Legislative Department

Markham Civic Centre

101 Town Centre Boulevard

Markham, ON, L3R 9W3

Phone 905.477.7000.ext..2366
Fax 905.479.7771

Hours

Monday to Friday
8:30 AM to 4:30 PM