East Gwillimbury council has approved a 2024 budget with a 6.7 per cent tax increase, which amounts to approximately $136 per year or $11.33 per month for the average household.
Several factors influenced the tax increase, according to a Town of East Gwillimbury news release, including:
- Inflation and cost increases to maintain base programs and services.
- Cost increases related to training, legal fees and software licensing, and new staffing requests.
- Service level enhancements, including increasing funding to help prepare for the costs to operate the Health and Active Living Plaza, opening in early 2025, as well as savings for asset management, which is the long-term repair and replacement of infrastructure.
“After an extensive budget process, I am proud of the transparency and progress we made. The work we are doing today is about the opportunities for tomorrow. This budget reflects the current needs in our community while ensuring that future funding is available to help us maintain our infrastructure and services. This type of planning helps us to balance the needs of our community and I thank the residents who provided input to help us balance those important needs,” said Acting Mayor Brian Johns.
Highlights of the 2024 budget include:
- Official launch of a second customer service desk at the Sports Complex.
- Park improvements, including Sharon Hills Park tennis court reconstruction and playground replacement at King Street Park.
- Trail upgrades, including the second phase of the Simcoe Trail project and multi-use path and lighting along Highway 11/Yonge Street in Holland Landing.
- Review of the town’s current events with opportunities for residents to provide feedback about future community events.
- Construction projects including over $4 million for bridge rehabilitation on York/Durham Line and $2 million for road works within the town.
- Installation of radar and driver feedback speed board pilot project on King Street in Mount Albert.
- Installation of new public computers at both library branches.
The 2024 budget process began with department budget recommendations followed by the presentation of the 2024 business plan priorities to council in September. To view the budget book or previous meetings and presentations, please visit www.eastgwillimbury.ca/budget.
