Oshawa 1.85% tax increase for 2022 less than for this year

Oshawa City Council on Friday (December 6), approved the 2022 city budget.

The approved 2022 budget calls for a 1.85 per cent increase to the overall city tax levy. This represents an increase to the Oshawa portion of the residential tax bill of approximately $37.37 (or $3.11 per month) on a property assessed at $356,000 (Oshawa’s average house assessment value as published by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation), said a city statement.

Last year, Oshawa Council had approved a tax increase of 2.03 per cent for the 2021 budget despite receiving more than $5.7 million in federal and provincial funding (see related stories below) to help offset covid-related costs.

The increase on the Oshawa portion of the total tax bill is an increase of 0.805 per cent. The city’s increase will be combined with the Region of Durham’s budget outcome, determined in early 2022, which will finalize the tax levies for 2022, it added.

The 2022 budget is reflective of the continued impact on municipal finances, including lost revenues and unavoidable costs related to the Covid-19 pandemic. Where possible, these impacts have been offset through cost containment mitigation measures and using the Federal-Provincial Safe Restart Funds, the statement said.

The 2022 budget:

  • Maintains the base levels of service (some service levels were reduced in 2021 to comply with Provincial orders);
  • Addresses volume growth;
  • Includes inflationary increases;
  • Addresses contractual labour increases; and,
  • Incorporates the outcomes of various continuous improvement initiatives.

The 2022 budget is aligned with council’s guiding principles of financial stewardship and the city’s Financial Strategy and comprises two components: operating and capital. The operating budget covers the costs of delivering services to the community, including snow removal, waste collection, fire services, recreation programs and the ongoing maintenance of:

  • 711 km of sidewalks
  • 603 km of roads
  • 1,400+ acres of parks and open space
  • 37,000+ street trees
  • 118 playgrounds
  • 130+ parks
  • 30 km of recreation trails
  • 10 splash pads
  • 104 km on-street cycling lanes
  • 60 sports fields
  • 16+ km of multi-use path
  • 23 City and community facilities
  • 51,000+ households receiving curbside collection of garbage, green bin and recycling
  • 120 bridges and culverts including road and pedestrian structures

It also includes funding for agencies, including the Oshawa Public Libraries and the Oshawa Senior Community Centres.

Capital investment is an essential contributor to economic growth and the service delivery capabilities of the city.

The 2022 capital budget of $33.75 million invests in vital infrastructure including roads, bridges, other core City assets and growth related resources. Also included are approximately $8.4 million in projects specifically for City parks and trails. The 2022 capital budget is in addition to the $15.6 million in capital projects that were advanced throughout 2021 over and above the 2021 capital budget.

The 2022 capital budget supports the green economy through Electrical Vehicle charging station installations at various City facilities, replacement of mechanical equipment to more energy efficient systems and an upgrade to the lighting program system at the Delpark Homes Centre. These approved projects will reduce the City’s carbon footprint.

The City of Oshawa is part of a two-tier government system. It collects property taxes on behalf of the City, the Regional Municipality of Durham and the Province for local school boards. Approximately 41 cents is distributed to the Region and 18 cents to local school boards – the City keeps only 41 cents for every dollar collected.

The approved 2022 City Budget will be available online in the coming weeks on the City Budget webpage at Oshawa.ca/budget.

“The 2022 budget provides a balanced approach to our growing City’s needs while enabling us to strengthen our programs, services and infrastructure and we continue to look forward to building a more sustainable community,” said Mayor Dan Carter. “I appreciate the feedback provided by community members; the valuable input of City staff and the collaborative efforts of Council in delivering this budget.”

RELATED STORIES

2.03% rise in Oshawa city property tax approved

Durham gets $37.5m from Ontario, so not tax hike?

Durham gets $13m more to stop 2021 tax rise

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