Trick or 2025 Budget
Happy Halloween Markhamites,
I need you to settle something once and for all - Click on the link below to make your pick. Glory awaits the scariest, best neighbourhood in Markham.
But also, Happy Diwali! May the festival of lights bring you and your family joy, peace, and prosperity.
Just one big story this week - the 2025 budget. A breakdown of that is below. So, today’s reading time is about 5 minutes.
Mayor Scarpitti unveils the 2025 budget, a 3.88% increase over last year.
This week, Mayor Scarpitti tabled the 2025 budget. Last year's budget was revealed earlier this year in February - but with a couple of projects expected to start in early 2025, this is a good sign that the city is getting ahead of anticipated growth and taking steps to manage it.
This year’s budget amounts to an $84.2M increase year over year. The operating budget, which is what our municipal taxes go towards, is increasing by 15M. This increase is driven mainly by the increasing costs to deliver services, festivals, and recreation programming to citizens while maintaining the level of quality we come to expect from the city. As a result, the tax rate increase in 2025 will be 3.88%. For the average home in Markham, this represents an increase of $53.54 on the City portion of your tax bill. Last year’s City portion was around $39.
Another $60M of that year-over-year increase includes capital expenses on projects expected to be underway in 2025. About 41% or $74.4 million of the $178 Million capital budget is for projects to help support growth. Some of those projects include:
Victoria Square Boulevard storm sewer and watermain construction
Markham Village flood control construction
Woodbine Avenue watermain construction
Cast iron watermain CIPP lining construction
City-wide sidewalk program construction
City-wide asphalt resurfacing
Additionally, Council approved 18 projects that are expected to get underway in the first weeks of 2025
Corporate fleet replacement – Non-Fire service
Enterprise Boulevard at Bill Crothers Secondary School (design and construction)
Glynnwood Tributary sewer - Detailed design
McCowan Reservoir cricket pitch soil removal project
Reforestation of City-owned natural areas
Centennial Community Centre net-zero mechanical system replacement
There are some smaller parks projects planned, Including new playgrounds in Legacy, Mount Joy, Cornell Rouge and Upper Cornell. The community centres are also undergoing a facelift to repair and extend the life of some of our community spaces.
The next step is to hold a public consultation on the budget, where they welcome comments and critiques from the public. That is scheduled for November 4th at 7 PM at Markham Civic Centre.
Community Notes
York Region Chairman and CEO to retire Nov 29th, after the regional budget passes.
5 new Automated speed cameras are coming to Markham
Markham’s bold ‘Face/Waste’ exhibition confronts the hidden toll of everyday trash
Markham’s Dr. Aleem Hussain was named 2024 Regional Family Physician of the Year.
Seneca’s Markham Campus is to temporarily close, citing a decrease in international enrollment.
What’s Happening in Markham this week?
Nov 1st
4:00 - 8:00 PM - Rouge River Brewery - Evergreen Hospice presents: Death over Draft: Annual Pumpkin Memorial - Tickets here
7:30 PM - Centennial Community Centre - St Mike’s Majors vs Markham Royals - Tickets are just $15 at the door!
8:00 PM - Flato Markham Theatre - Matt Dusk Sings Tony Bennett - Tickets here
Nov 3rd
1:30 PM - Centennial Community Centre -Haliburton Huskies vs Markham Royals - Tickets are just $15 at the door!
If you would like to submit your photos of Markham - feel free to follow and tag our Instagram page, and we’ll credit you!
If you’ve got a story pitch, send it to themarkhamite@Substack.com