Markham approves 3.88 per cent tax hike

The City of Markham has approved a $674.7-million budget for 2025. The tax rate- increase of 3.88 per cent means $53.54 on the City portion of the tax bill for the average Markham homeowner.

“With Budget 2025, our city now has the lowest average tax rate increase in the Greater Toronto Area over the last 20 years,” Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti says. “Our fiscal success is remarkable given that we continue to provide exceptional services for our residents and businesses. Budget 2025 keeps affordability in mind while making necessary infrastructure investments and maintaining our assets in a state of good repair.”

A Markham Milestone: Budget 2025 highlights include a $296.2-million primary operating budget, which supports general day-to-day operations and service delivery; and $178.9 million in capital funding to deliver 231 projects supporting a wide variety of City programs and services.

Of the capital budget, $74.4 million relates to new infrastructure to serve the City’s growing communities, such as new storm sewer, watermain and road network construction; parks; green spaces; and pedestrian crossings and traffic signals; while $104.5 million will go towards keeping existing infrastructure in good repair, which includes projects to repair and refurbish existing roads, recreation, library and cultural facilities and amenities.

A 3.05 per cent 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.

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.

Markham’s Budget 2025 demonstrates Markham’s continued track record of lean, efficient and prudent fiscal management, the City says. From 2009 to 2025, its Excellence through Efficiency and Effectiveness (E3) Program will have delivered $36.8M in annual operating savings, equal to a tax rate increase avoidance of 28.8 per cent, it reports. Along with the top municipal ranking for budget transparency (A-) from the C.D. Howe Institute, the City of Markham has received several other recognitions for its budget and financial management process.

Scarpitti tabled the budget on October 28. 

Pictured on October 28, from left, Ward 1 Coun. Keith Irish,Ward 2 Coun. Ritch Lau, Ward 3 Coun. Reid McAlpine, Ward 4 Coun. Karen Rea, Mayor Frank Scarpitti, Regional Coun. Jim Jones, Ward 5 Coun. Andrew Keyes, Ward 6 Coun. Amanda Yeung Collucci, Ward 7 Coun. Juanita Nathan amd Ward 8 Coun. Isa Lee. Photo courtesy of the City of Markham.