Get involved in shaping the 2010 Municipal Budget…
I need your input.

With all this economic uncertainty, 2010 will without doubt be a very challenging year for all of us.  Probably more than we have seen in decades. That makes it particularly difficult for us in terms of planning our service levels and the related costs in providing them.  I need your input.

A responsible budget is one that works to find a balance between the taxes needed to maintain services and programs while looking forward to ensure that rates are sustainable in the long term. Using current reserves to solve today's problems may cause a need to significantly increase taxes in the future or result in a deterioration of our facilities. This has happened in the past but it doesn't need to happen again. With a solid plan, economic challenges and unexpected increases in operating costs can be weathered without drastic consequences to the community. 

In 2008, we developed a five year plan that I believe is sustainable. It projected the increase in taxes would be reduced to 4.83% in 2009, down from 6.56% in 2008 with further targets of 3.81% in 2010, 3.50% in 2011 and 3.00% in 2012. This was our initial framework for discussion with the long term view. There are a number of factors that can influence decisions within this framework, not the least of which are economic conditions, our rate of growth, construction industry inflation rates, the cost of fuel and adverse weather conditions. This year we have been impacted by most of them.

On April 28, 2009 Newmarket Council approved its Operating Budget with Expenditures of $78,876,298.00 representing a 4.19 % increase for the municipal portion of your property taxes. This will represent an overall 2.37% increase when you include the projected Regional and School Board taxes. For the average home in Newmarket this amounts to a tax increase of $84.34 (or $7.03 per month) based on an average assessment value of $331,000.

Our Capital Budget totals $30,390,135.00 primarily to replace our aging operations centres and to capture the efficiencies of operating from one consolidated site as well as infrastructure improvements such as road repairs, water mains, sewage pipes and much needed renovations to the Old Town Hall. Some of this is funded by Federal & Provincial Grants. 

More information is available at: Town of Newmarket Media Release

As promised when we set our tax rates for 2009, we have already started the process that will help us focus on delivering “value added” core municipal services and programs as efficiently and effectively as possible for 2010. This is where you can help us.

Please let me know how you feel about the current level of services provided to you by the Town of Newmarket.

Please share your thoughts on the current budget process:

Do you feel we should continue to work toward achieving a stable tax rate that is sustainable over the longer term?

Do you think that an overall tax increase of $84.34 (2.37%) is reasonable in comparison to the current inflation rate?

Are there any services that could or should be changed to help reduce the cost of operating our municipality?

Are there any service areas that are not receiving the required attention?

How can we make the process easier for you to understand and help you get more involved?

Providing your input is easy. You can register on this site and post your comments directly to this page once you are logged in below.

I look forward receiving the benefit of your views.