Property Tax & Water Budgets and Annual Reports

On January 29, 2024 Mayor Scarpitti presented the City of Markham’s A Strong Markham Budget 2024 of $590.5M. On February 28, 2024, the budget was deemed adopted.

Resources:

• A Strong Markham: Budget 2024
• A Strong Markham: Budget 2024 – January 29, 2024 Presentation
• A Strong Markham: Budget 2024 – Exhibit 1
• A Strong Markham: Budget 2024 – Exhibit 2 Capital Summary
• A Strong Markham: Budget 2024 – Exhibit 3 – 2023 In-Year Capital Additions
• 2024 Capital Project Forms

Responsible Markham

The City of Markham’s proposed budget for 2024 is $590.5 million.

• Markham will have a $281.4 million primary operating budget. It is primarily funded through property taxes and supports general day-to-day operations and service delivery.

• The proposed property tax rate increase in 2024 is 2.99%. This represents an increase of $39.98 on the City portion of the tax bill for the average home in Markham. Markham continues to have the lowest average tax rate increase in the GTA over 19 consecutive years.

• $118.3 million in capital funding to deliver 271 projects supporting a wide array of City programs and services.

• $43.8 million of the capital budget relates to new infrastructure to service Markham’s growing communities. This includes projects such as new road widening and construction, parks, trails, green spaces, and pedestrian crossings and traffic signals.

• $74.5 million is to keep the existing community infrastructure in a good state of repair. This includes projects to repair and refurbish existing roads, recreation, library and cultural facilities and amenities, and improve stormwater infrastructure.

• A 3.5% water rate increase is included to support water and wastewater services, representing an increase of $35.26 for the average home in Markham. The majority of this increase results from the cost of purchasing water from the City of Toronto, through York Region.

• New in 2024, Markham is introducing a new program to help keep seniors healthy and aging in place. The Low-Income Seniors Property Tax Assistance Program will support low-income seniors with an interest free repayment plan to help them clear their tax arrears.

Building Markham

Markham will continue to manage growth by building infrastructure that builds complete, safe and connected communities. Investments include:

• $33.6 million for road widening and construction

• $4.5 million for sidewalks

• $1.7 million for traffic signals and pedestrian crossings

• $3.1 million for new parks (Cornell Centre East and West Parkettes, Innovation and Songbird Parks and James Cochrane Park Expansion)

• $3.0 million for new trails (Markham Centre and Rouge Valley)

Resilient Markham

$74.5 million of the 2024 capital budget will maintain our existing assets in a state of good repair, prepare for changing climate conditions and support our goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

Key examples include:

• $10.4 million for repair and rehabilitation for recreation and cultural facilities and related amenities

• $5.4 million for asphalt resurfacing and curb, sidewalk and parking lot repairs

• $1.3 million for facility upgrades and artificial turf replacement for Mount Joy Sports Dome

• $1.2 million for refurbishing basketball, tennis and pickleball courts

• $1 million for roofing at City facilities

• 30-year Flood Control Program - $8.2 million for Don Mills Channel stormwater management pond – Construction

• $1.2 million - tree canopy and Trees for Tomorrow Program

• $1.4 million for HVAC replacement and building automation system upgrades

Innovative Markham

The City continues to transform and modernize service delivery and test new technology.

Highlights include:

• $2.2 million for a new Customer Relationship Management system, to modernize and improve customer service provided by the Contact Centre and City departments

• $1.1 million for City website and new mobile capability

• $2.5 million in grant funding to pilot leading edge mobility solutions in Markham Centre from Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) Demonstration Zone

Inclusive Markham

The City strives to be welcoming, inclusive and accessible to meet the needs of our diverse community.

• The City and Destination Markham Corporation will co-host the 50th anniversary of the Little Native Hockey League (LNHL) 2024 Hockey Tournament, welcoming over 4,000 young Indigenous athletes and their families during March Break

• $2.8 million will fund upgrades and improve accessibility in parks and playgrounds to meet AODA requirements

• In 2024, we will refresh our Multi-Year Accessibility Plan to improve accessibility in the City

• $0.3 million will help grow and strengthen our workforce in high-demand areas including:

  • Partnering with the Mentorship Initiative for Indigenous and Planners of Colour (MIIPOC) to offer internship opportunities for aspiring planning professionals

  • Internship opportunities in engineering, legal and finance, with preference given to Markham residents

Budget 2024 Schedule

• January 29, 2024 – Mayor Frank Scarpitti tables proposed Budget 2024 - This is the first City of Markham budget under new strong mayor powers which were assigned to Markham in 2023.

• February 15, 2024 at 7 PM - Residents will have an opportunity to provide feedback on the budget, including the water/wastewater rate, during a Public Meeting.

• February 28, 2024 – Discuss any budget amendment(s) and Council vote.

Markham Adopts Budget 2024 News Release

Markham 2024 Budget News Release

Prior Years:

• Markham 2022 Budget News Release
• Markham 2021 Budget News Release
• Markham 2021 Budget Highlights
• Markham 2021 Budget Press Conference

For the past 20 years in a row, the City of Markham's annual budget document has received The Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. This award is given by the Government Financial Officers Association (GFOA):

Previous Budget Documents:

• 2023 Budget
  • Consolidated Budget – Restated February 2024
    
• 2022 Budget
  
• 2021 Budget
  
• 2020 Budget
  
• 2019 Budget
  
• 2018 Budget
  
• 2017 Budget
  
• 2016 Budget
  
• 2015 Budget
  
• 2014 Budget
  
• 2013 Budget
  
• 2012 Budget
  
• 2011 Budget
  
• 2010 Budget
  
• 2009 Budget
  
• 2008 Budget
  
• 2007 Budget
  
• 2006 Budget
  
• 2005 Budget
  
• 2004 Budget
  
  

Annual Reports

City of Markham annual reports include audited financial statements as well as a look at how the City is spending money and delivering services.

For 21 years in a row, the City of Markham’s annual reports have received the Canadian Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting. This award is given by the Government Financial Officers Association (GFOA).

Annual Report Documents

• 2022 Annual Report [PDF]

• 2021 Annual Report [PDF]
  
  
• 2020 Annual Report [PDF]
  
  
• 2019 Annual Report [PDF]

• 2018 Annual Report [Interactive Edition]
  
  Aaniin – Welcome. Innovation Lives Here

• 2017 Annual Report [PDF]
  
  Celebrating The Past – Racing Towards The Future
  

• 2016 Annual Report [PDF]
  
  Green Markham: A Healthier Community

• 2015 Annual Report [PDF]
  
  Markham: Celebrating Our City

• 2014 Annual Report [PDF]
  
  Markham Welcomes the World

• 2013 Annual Report [PDF]
  
  Markham in Motion

• 2012 Annual Report [PDF]
  
  Our City, Our Vision, Our Success.

• 2011 Annual Report [PDF]
  
  Markham, a Thriving City

Annual Report Archive

• 2010 Annual Report [PDF]

• 2009 Annual Report [PDF]

• 2008 Annual Report [PDF]

• 2007 Annual Report [PDF]
  

• 2006 Annual Report [PDF]
  

• 2005 Annual Report [PDF]
  

• 2004 Annual Report [PDF]
  

• 2003 Annual Report [PDF]
  

Municipal Performance Measurement Program

The Municipal Performance Measurement Program (MPMP) is an Ontario government project. Cities measure their performance in several areas and show the results to taxpayers.

The program helps you understand what you get for your tax dollars. It also helps cities share and compare results.

The City of Markham gives its MPMP results to the province each year. We also publish a report with our results.

Please note:

• Performance measures for police and social services are handled by the Regional Municipality of York.
• If you need more information on the program, visit the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Website.

For more information, please contact the Financial Services Department at 905.477.7000.

City of Markham MPMP Results

• 2022 MPMP Results
• 2021 MPMP Results
  
• 2020 MPMP Results
• 2019 MPMP Results
  
• 2018 MPMP Results
• 2017 MPMP Results
  
• 2016 MPMP Results
• 2015 MPMP Results
• 2014 MPMP Results
• 2013 MPMP Results
• 2012 MPMP Results
• 2011 MPMP Results
  

Permanent and Predictable Funding for Municipal Infrastructure

The Federal Gas Tax Fund is a permanent source of funding established in 2005 to support investments in local infrastructure. The Fund currently transfers $2.1 billion to Canadian municipalities each year; the City of Markham received over $85 million between 2005 and 2017.

Funds are distributed to the City of Markham through the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). AMO administers the federal Gas Tax Fund to all Ontario municipalities except the City of Toronto and allocates funding to municipalities on a per capita basis.

The predictable and flexible funding provided by the federal Gas Tax Fund allows municipalities to plan for the future and address local priorities. The City of Markham has invested its share of the federal Gas Tax Fund in 64 projects to date – extending the reach of district energy plants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, constructing new paths and trails to increasing opportunities for cycling and walking, and supporting the City’s efforts to keep infrastructure in a state of good repair.