Newmarket council will seek to rein in a possible 7.67 per cent tax increase to 5.5 per cent without making service cuts in most areas.
Committee of the whole passed that resolution today while spurring most of the possible service cuts optioned by staff. However, council will consider some measures like spending less on the town’s asset replacement fund and extending the playground maintenance cycle.
Mayor John Taylor said a weekend snowstorm made it even more clear that the public is not interested in service cuts.
“Our community wants the service levels we have. If anything, they want to see them enhanced,” he said, then added he has heard from councillors that “We need to do more and wrestle this (tax increase) down.”
Council asked staff to bring back possible service cuts in the wake of the tax increase presented in budget talks. Some neighbouring municipalities have brought in lower tax increases, including East Gwillimbury (5.55 per cent), Aurora (3.5 per cent) and Georgina (4.89 per cent). However, Taylor did mention Stouffville, which came in at a 9.04 per cent increase.
That would reduce the impact of the increase to the average Newmarket homeowner to about $124 annually, down from $173 with a 7.67 per cent hike.
Staff floated a list of potential service reduction options, including $390,000 in savings by reducing sidewalk snow clearing, or reducing hours at facilities like the Ray Twinney Recreation Complex and Seniors' Meeting Place. Staff specifically recommended against these.
Still, council asked staff to bring back methods for reducing the tax increase through finding efficiencies and reducing this year’s asset replacement contribution. Reductions could include reducing janitorial services at the town office for a savings of $42,000 annually, spreading out playground maintenance for a potential $60,000 in savings annually and spreading out replacing staff for a potential $130,000 in annual savings.
Councillor Grace Simon said what she has heard from her constituents is not to reduce service levels, but instead "for us to look at the bigger scope."
“I agree with us being able to look at the recommended, low-risk areas that won’t be really that burdensome," she added.
Councillor Bob Kwapis said he has not seen a budget get this granular before.
“Just goes to show you how difficult this budget is for everyone,” he said.
But reducing asset replacement funding this term could be an issue, Councillor Victor Woodhouse said.
“I’m just going to suggest we put up, when additional funds come, we allocate that (to asset replacement) in order to hold us in good step,” he said.
Council also proposed stating that this year’s larger tax increase would be a one-time thing, with future budget years in this term to be kept below a three per cent increase.
The municipality plans to pass its budget by April 3.
