Advancing city-building. Achieving customer service. Accomplishing results.
Image
The proposed 2022 Budget keeps tax rates low while delivering quality public services
This evening, the City of Vaughan’s draft 2022 Budget and 2023 to 2026 Capital Plan were tabled, reflecting the continued commitment to keep property tax rates low, respect taxpayers’ money and deliver quality public services that residents, businesses and visitors rely on each day.
In this first of three virtual public meetings on this topic, the focus was on advancing city-building, achieving customer service and accomplishing results. The proposed 2022 citizen-focused budget outlines how Vaughan’s administration will move the city forward while delivering more than 200 daily programs and services effectively and efficiently.
With this proposed budget, Vaughan will maintain one of the lowest and most competitive tax rates in the Greater Toronto Area. Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Members of Council have once again delivered on their promise to keep property tax low with a proposed increase of two per cent in 2022 in support of the $333.2-million operating budget, which funds the many programs and services families rely on, including garbage collection, snow clearing and fire prevention education.
Twenty-eight cents of every property tax dollar stay with the City to provide these and many other services. The remainder is split between York Region (49 cents), the local school boards (22 cents) and the hospital precinct levy (one cent). In the context of the average $6,000 annual property tax bill, only $1,676 stays with the City.
The Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Budgets fund programs and services to ensure the City can provide safe drinking water, collect wastewater effectively, manage stormwater to mitigate flooding and save for future water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure needs. The proposed increase for the combined water and wastewater rate in 2022 is $0.1551 per cubic metre, or 3.3 per cent. The proposed increase for the 2022 stormwater charge is an average of 4.5 per cent.
Finally, the capital budget was also presented with proposed projects for 2022 and a forecast capital plan up to 2026 with investments of $271.8 million in 2022 to help the City grow sustainably and build and repair City infrastructure, including roads, pipes and buildings.
The budget and plan propose a variety of major infrastructure projects from 2022 to 2026:
- $325.8 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 Vaughan Super Trail development, various road rehabilitation projects throughout the municipality, construction of a number of road extensions within the VMC and extension of Bass Pro Mills Drive.
- $291.2 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, Black Creek Channel renewal and stormwater management improvements at various locations throughout the city, represent 54 per cent of the capital plan.
- $208.4 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 2022; a city-wide Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure Implementation Program; and a Playground Replacement and Improvement Program.
- $190.8 million in capital projects related to City-Building. This includes the design and construction of the new Carrville Community Centre, District Park and Library.
- $127.3 million in capital projects related to Operational Performance. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, the City will use data-driven decision-making to promote innovation.
- $78 million for capital projects related to Citizen Experience. This includes programs that demonstrate commitment to citizen service and transform services through technology.
- $1.7 million 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.
- $200,000 in capital projects for Staff Engagement. These initiatives will empower staff, develop leadership skills and help manage performance.
- $400,000 in capital projects for Economic Prosperity, Investment and Social Capital in 2021: These funds support initiatives that create jobs, advance economic opportunities, attract new investments, and enrich the creative and cultural community through public art and cultural developments.
The 2022 Budget Book and 2023 to 2026 Capital Plan (PDF) further details how the City’s revenues and other sources of funds are allocated to programs, services, and maintaining and building infrastructure.
Join the conversation.
As public consultation is a vital component in the budget process, residents are encouraged to get involved and help shape Vaughan’s promising future. Additional virtual public meetings to discuss the draft budget are taking place on the following days:
- Tuesday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m.: Special Committee of the Whole (Public Meeting)
- Thursday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m.: Special Council Meeting
Participate in these virtual meetings by:
- speaking live via teleconference to Members of Council during the meeting. To pre-register to speak at the public meeting, send a completed Request to Speak 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 the meeting to allow participants to test their connection and software. You can connect through your computer, smartphone or tablet.
- speaking live from a telephone (regular landline or cellphone) during the meeting. To pre-register to speak via telephone, 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.
Other ways to get involved include:
- watching a livestream of the City’s budget meetings at vaughan.ca/LiveCouncil. A video feed will be available at the start of each meeting.
- providing input through an online budget feedback form at vaughan.ca/budget.
- emailing any questions or comments to the City at budgeting@vaughan.ca.
- calling 905-832-8610 to leave a message that will be shared with City staff.
- subscribing to Vaughan News, the City’s eNewsletter, for updates as they are released.
- joining the conversation on the City’s Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook pages using #VaughanBudget2022.
More about the budget process
The City’s goal is to ensure the budget is rooted in fiscal sustainability and serves to secure greater efficiencies and maximize every dollar it is entrusted to invest. The budget will build upon the City’s existing strong foundation and account for sustainable growth with opportunities to enrich lives through arts, culture, parks, trails and recreation. In addition, it will deliver on the City’s mission of Citizens First Through Service Excellence, investing in the community’s future and factoring in the impacts of COVID-19.
For more information on the City’s budget process or how you can get involved, visit vaughan.ca/budget.