Pickering city council has approved the 2023 budget which reflects an overall 5.31 per cent rise in property tax.
The city’s portion of the residential property tax bill will increase by 2.44 per cent, said a city statement.
“This increase, when combined with the Region of Durham and School Board increases, results in an average increase of 5.31 per cent on the total property tax bill,” it added.
Announced 2023 Durham Property Tax Increases
- Pickering – 5.31%
- Ajax 3% + 2% Infrastructure Levy
- Whitby – 5.9%
- Oshawa – 4.98
- Clarington – 4.06%
- Scugog – 2.43%
- Brock – 3.2%
- Durham Region – 5.2%
The city said the approved Current Budget is $82,162,832, while the approved Capital Budget is $58,899,668.
The budget prioritizes key investments in service, program, and infrastructure needs of our growing community, the statement said.
Budget Highlights
- Expansion of the senior’s snow removal program from 500 to 750 registrants
- Increase in seniors property tax grant from $525 to $535
- Expanded Automated Speed Enforcement program
- New events at Millennium Square
- Staff to support a new Office of Affordability
- Funding for the implementation of the digital strategy to include website redevelopment and customized client portals
- Major 2023 Capital Projects: construction of the Pickering Heritage & Community Centre ($40 million total budget), new pickleball and futsal courts at the Pickering Soccer Centre ($902,000), Walnut Lane extension ($2 million) and various asphalt resurfacing, reconstruction and culvert replacement projects ($4.6 million)
- Funding for the development of a new Corporate Strategic Plan as well as updates to the Parks & Recreation, Fire and Library Master Plans
- An increase of five positions for front line firefighting staff (Seaton)
Read Report FIN 09-23 for details.