March 14, 2019
The Deputy Mayor's Exchange
IT'S BUDGET TIME AGAIN!

As part of my election campaign, I stated that I would do my best to try and keep our municipal and regional tax increases "at or below the rate of inflation".

Markham Council listened and has achieved a tax increase of just under 2% (subject to final approval next week) which is right in line with inflation. Well done Budget Committee and Markham Council!

At York Region, after initially bringing in a tax increase of 3.27% plus a dedicated 1% for road works (total of 4.27%), York Region Council wisely asked staff to go back and look for ways of reducing that number.

The following week, a new rate of 2.96% plus 1% for road works (total of 3.96%) was put before YR Council.

I requested that staff once again be asked to look for ways to reduce the budget increase but the vote to refer the budget back to staff lost.

Markham residents will face a reasonable Markham tax hike of 2% and what I feel is an unreasonably high 3.96% Regional tax hike.

Wish me better luck when we tackle the 2020 Regional budget.

Check out more detail on the Regional budget in an article below in the eNewsletter.

As always, I can be reached at dhamilton@markham.ca
As a Regional Councillor I represent all residents of Markham at City Council and also represent all Markham residents at York Region Council. From time to time I'm asked about the York Region government and what services it provides.

York Region is the upper level of municipal government that provides services to the 9 communities that make up the Region. Along with Markham, the other communities are Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, King, Newmarket, Richmond Hill, Vaughan and Whitchurch-Stouffville. The goal of this upper level of local government is to provide a variety of programs and services to 1.2 million residents and 51,000 businesses with 620,000 employees in the Region.

More information is available at  York Regional services .
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Spring Thaw
While spring brings the promise of warmer weather and longer days, it also brings a variety of conditions, including heavy rain, severe weather and rapid snow melt that can increase your flood risk.
York Regional Council approves 2019 Budget 
York Region Council has approved the 2019 $3.2 billion budget , the first year of a four-year budget coinciding with the current term of Council. The new budget includes:
  • Tax increase of 2.96%
  • Additional 1% tax levy towards a new reserve to accelerate roads construction
The tax increase of 2.96% was reduced by 0.41% from the originally tabled budget representing a savings of $4.44 million. This year's combined 3.96% tax increase will add approximately $95 to the average residential property bill.
The 2019 budget includes an outlook for the remaining three years of this Council term with an annual tax levy increase of 2.96% from 2020 to 2022, which is inclusive of contributions to the Roads Capital Acceleration Reserve. By indicating the intended tax increases for the next number of years, it helps to provide clarity for both of residents and the Region's ability to fund future projects and services.
More information on the York Region Budget can be found here 
Did you know that there's a National Park in the City of Markham?


From the Parks Canada site: "A rich assembly of natural, cultural and agricultural landscapes, Rouge National Urban Park is home to amazing biodiversity, some of the last remaining working farms in the Greater Toronto Area, Carolinian ecosystems, Toronto’s only campground, one of the region’s largest marshes, unspoiled beaches, amazing hiking opportunities, and human history dating back over 10,000 years, including some of Canada's oldest known Indigenous sites."

The Park is open 365 days a year and their calendar of events is available here . While there are many places to enjoy in the park, for most Markham residents this is the easiest way to access the Park .
There are many things to do in the Rouge National Urban Park including:

There are many ways to explore and enjoy Canada's first national urban park right in Markham's backyard. There is an interactive app to help you learn more about the park and to enhance your visit.
Upcoming Events and Seminars
 
How to Get Clients from LinkedIn 
Wednesday March 27 - 1:00pm to 3:00pm


CRA's Small Business Tax information seminar
Tuesday April 2, 1:00pm to 4:00pm
*Most beneficial to Self-Employed Individuals* 

More detail about these and other upcoming seminars and events can be found here

Markham Small Business Centre at
905-477-7000 x6722 
Community Meetings

All City of Markham meetings are listed on the City's website at Upcoming Council and Committee Meetings . Unless noted differently on the link above, meetings are held at the Markham Civic Centre and are open to the public. If you aren't able to attend in person, meetings are live streamed.

I'd be pleased to highlight other community meetings in future newsletters. Please forward the details to dhamilton@markham.ca
Frequently Asked Questions...
 As an ongoing section in these email updates, I would like to provide answers to some commonly asked questions by residents.
If you have a question that you would like answered, please send me an email with your question.
Question: Water? There's got to be more to it than just turning on the tap.

Answer: Ever wonder about the water coming out of your taps and where it eventually goes. The water system of York Region is massive, integrated and fascinating. Yet, it is rarely seen.

This video of York Region water plants will open the door to the world underground, inside a water treatment plant, pumping station and water tower.

I think you’ll be amazed.
Working together to make Markham better!
Don Hamilton - City of Markham
Deputy Mayor and Regional Councillor
905- 415-7549
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