The Town will hire new firefighters, create a new Baker Hill neighbourhood park and rehabilitate the historical downtown clock tower as part of a ‘service-based budget’ that totals $97 million.
The multi-year budget includes a $67.4-million operating budget and a $26.8-million capital budget. Council also approved a $2.8-million grant for the Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library and Latcham Art Centre.
A property owner whose property has been assessed by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation at $800,000 will fork out another $272 in property taxes this year. The Town portion of the tax bill is $179. That represents a 9.04 per cent increase over last year. Of that, 6.04 per cent goes toward day-to-day operating expenses and three per cent will help fund capital expenses.
The estimated blended property tax increase is 4.56 per cent when combined with the Region and education portions. “The 2023 Stouffville Budget focuses on being fiscally responsible,” says Stouffville Mayor Iain Lovatt. “Council recognizes that it has been a challenging year for citizens and families, however we are determined to maintain and increase the service levels residents rely on every day.”
Budget highlights include hiring four full-time firefighters and an additional deputy chief, as well as $900,000 to replace a fire pumper truck and $1.08 million to design a new Ballantrae fire station. The Town will spend $1.56 million on road repair and rehabilitation and will complete the Edward Street reconstruction project at a cost of $7.56 million and Lloyd Street reconstruction at a cost of $4 million.
It will also spend $345,000 on various traffic calming projects, including roundabout improvements, and $125,400 on a Main Street crosswalk between Freel Lane and Lloyd Street. The clock tower rehabilitation carries a price tag of $575,000, while creating the new park will cost about $1.5 million.
View the 2023 Operating and Capital Budget and supporting documents at townofws.ca/budgets.
