The Town of Newmarket has crafted a 2025 budget that stands to have the lowest tax rate increase in York Region this year.
Newmarket has tentatively approved its 2025 budget increase with a 2.99 per cent rate increase Dec. 2, which currently stands as the lowest in the region’s nine municipalities among proposed and approved budgets, including the region itself.
Newmarket Mayor John Taylor said council chose to keep the rate low to recognize people are in tight financial times. He further said the town has tried to keep 10 per cent below the GTA average on a per-capita basis.
“The 2.99 is below virtually any example I’ve seen so far in the GTA. It’s not an easy thing,” Taylor said.
Newmarket has been on the lower end among York Region municipalities in tax rates, but this is the first time in the past three years it has tabled the lowest increase.
Aurora’s 2.8 per cent increase was the lowest rate in 2024, but its increase went up to 3.5 per cent this year, putting it above several York municipalities. Still, Mayor Tom Mrakas said the town keeps its rates among the lowest in the GTA overall.
“I am pleased that council has once again adopted a town budget that continues to deliver the services our residents expect and deserve, all at the best possible value,” Mrakas said in a news release. “We remain committed to making responsible investments in our community.”
Some budgets represented in the comparison have yet to recieve final approval by council, including Newmarket’s scheduled to pass Dec. 9, Richmond Hill, East Gwillimbury and Vaughan. All proposed budget increases have at least been tabled or received initial approval.
At the other end of the spectrum, East Gwillimbury stands to have the largest increase at 8.5 per cent this year, after also having the largest increase in 2024 at 6.7 per cent. The municipality has previously said the province cutting back on development charges stands to impact its finances, given a high amount of new development.
The 8.5 per cent number has resulted in some concern in East Gwillimbury, though that has not yet been finalized.
“I understand the financial pressures that many families in East Gwillimbury are facing — I’m a taxpayer too,” Councillor Scott Crone wrote on Facebook Nov. 13. “Rest assured that your council is committed to working together to deliver high-quality municipal services that offer value for your tax dollars.”
Councillors have proposed amendments to bring down the East Gwillimbury tax rate, which could reduce it to 6.85 per cent, but that would still be the highest increase in the region this year. Those amendments have not yet been finalized.
York Region finalized its budget last week with a 4.55 per cent tax rate increase, which will be reflected in the taxes of all ratepayers. The annual property tax bill includes both municipal and regional portions, along with an education rate set by the province.
Newmarket taxpayers should expect to see an average increase of about $75 annually from the town portion of the tax bill, along with $106 from the regional portion for a total of $181. In Aurora, that stands at about $87.52 for the town portion and $111 for the regional portion for a $199 total.
