Durham Region to vote 2.6% property tax rise this month

Durham Regional Council is considering the proposed 2022 Property Tax Supported Business Plans and Budget at its meeting on Wednesday February 23.  The proposed budget totals $1.73 billion in gross expenditures, requiring a 2022 tax levy of $760.2 million.

This represents a proposed net property tax increase of 2.6 per cent or approximately $74 for the average residential home with an assessed value of $483,100, said an announcement.

The proposed budget provides for:

• The increased demands on the region’s front-line essential programs and services in response to the Covid-19 pandemic;
• Positions the region to implement its Covid-19 recovery plan;
• Allows for targeted investments in key strategic priorities identified in the Region’s Strategic Plan; and
• Balances these pressures with the need for taxpayer affordability and competitive property taxes recognizing the financial impact the pandemic has had and continues to have on residents and businesses.

Specific investments included in the proposed budget includes:

• • Key investments in Police Services including 20 new front-line officers, implementation of a crisis call diversion response program, three new mental health response officers to support a 24/7 mobile crisis response team, nine additional communicators and one supervisor, creation of a cyber security division, and advancing the implementation of the body worn camera program.
  • Significant investment in the region’s four long-term care homes including increasing the nursing and personal care hours from an average of 3.4 hours/resident/day to 3.8 hours/resident/day across the region’s homes and increased capital investments totaling $1.1 million in new equipment and improvements in the region’s homes.
  • Double the size of the region’s Primary Care Outreach Program to provide social work outreach and paramedic services to vulnerable populations, including those who are unsheltered and under-housed and who may have mental health and additional challenges.
  • Increase in Paramedic Services through one additional 24/7 ambulance to service the growing Seaton Community as well as increasing existing paramedic services by four hours per day.
  • Implement the new Community Paramedicine Program which will provide support to high intensity needs clients requiring supplemental community paramedicine services beyond home and community care.
  • $1.3 million increase in regional investment for homelessness supports for people experiencing, or at risk of becoming homeless.
  • Strengthen diversity, equity and inclusion across the region including implementation of the region’s Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan
  • Advance the region’s Corporate Climate Change Action Plan and achievement of the region’s target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 including installation of 63 electrical vehicle chargers at regional facilities, acquisitions of electric/hybrid vehicles including acquisition of DRT’s first battery electric buses, energy enhancements at a number of regional facilities and undertaking comprehensive building condition assessment and level three energy audits to advance the region’s pathway to net zero for regional facilities.
  • Advance the myDurham311 project by enhancing the customer journey while creating a consistent, convenient and customized experience.
  • Finalize and launch a refreshed Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan and continue to provide supports to local businesses as they recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • Continue to plan for the approval of the Lakeshore East GO Extension to Bowmanville and related Transit Oriented Development Strategy to capitalize on the economic and community building benefits associated with rapid transit investment.
  • Develop and expand the region’s Broadband Network and establish partnerships to enable the delivery of broadband services in unserved and underserved communities across the Region positioning Durham Region as the location of choice for business.
  • Advance the recommendations contained in the Regional Cycling Plan Update including 11.3 kilometers of new cycling infrastructure to be implemented as part of the regional roads construction projects and an additional 1.25 kilometers of signed bicycle routes on infill road segments, undertaking a signage and wayfinding strategy, assisting in developing school safety plans and working with partners to facilitate a Durham cycling event.
  • Continue to grow and recover Durham Region Transit service including an increase of 12,398 hours of services, bringing the total planned hours of services to 551,075 for 2022.
  • A 0.25 per cent increase in the dedicated levy to support future healthcare investments in the region including the Lakeridge Health Bowmanville site redevelopment, the redevelopment of the Oak Valley Health Uxbridge site and the Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences redevelopment in Whitby.
  • Investment in the renewal and maintenance of the Region’s infrastructure valued at $15.9 billion including roads, bridges, facilities, Durham Regional Local Housing properties to maximize the value of the Region’s assets over their life cycle.

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