Protecting and maintaining essential service delivery through the pandemic

Last night, at a Special Council meeting, Whitby Town Council approved the Town’s proposed 2021 Budget, concluding the 2021 budget process. The approved budget will result in a 0.55 per cent increase on the total residential bill for Town services or $2.57 per month per household*, helping to keep taxes low during the pandemic, while protecting and maintaining the delivery of the essential services to the community.

The approved budget takes into consideration feedback collected through the Town’s 2020 Community Survey and Citizen Budget Tool, which saw more than 2,000 participants this fall. Through both engagements, the majority of residents indicated comfort with the current levels of Town services and taxation. More than 80 per cent also reported they felt they are getting “good” or “very good” value for their tax dollars and enjoy a “good” or “excellent” quality of life in Whitby.
The approved budget is available online at connectwhitby.ca/2021budget. For comments or questions about the budget, contact the Financial Services Department at treasury@whitby.ca or by phone at 905.430.4300 x1952.

QUOTES
“I’d like to thank Town staff who have worked hard to bring forward a budget tonight that is fiscally responsible and recognizes the significant impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on our residents and local businesses, and costs to the town. This budget looked to keep taxes low, and cut costs where possible while still supporting our community as best we can during this time. I’d like to thank all members of council for recognizing that fact and supporting this budget.”

- Steve Lee, Councillor and Budget Chair, Town of Whitby

“In addition to keeping taxes low and maintaining our assets and service levels, this budget advances key community needs including major renovations to the Civic Recreation Centre and the new North Whitby Sports Complex.”

- Don Mitchell, Mayor, Town of Whitby

QUICK FACTS

• The Town’s overall tax impact equates to about 9 cents per day, $2.57 per month or $31 per year on the average residential tax bill*.
• Half a million dollars in savings were identified by Town staff and removed from the budget to help keep taxes low, with no impact on service levels.
• Roads, recreational facilities and parks represent the highest capital investments in the 2021 Budget, aligned with the results of the 2020 Community Survey and Citizen Budget Tool. Examples include:
  • playground equipment and play area renewals at six parks
  • trail and multi-use path extensions, including the Hydro Electric Power Corridor Trail from Longwood Park to Thickson Road
  • 10 kilometres of road resurfacing
• Only 9 per cent of all taxes the average household pays are property taxes and 3 per cent of the taxes you pay go to the Town of Whitby.
• The Town’s portion of the total property tax bill is 34 per cent. The Town is responsible for collecting property taxes on behalf of the Region of Durham and the School Boards.

MORE INFORMATION
The approved 2021 Budget is available online at connectwhitby.ca/2021budget. Full results of the 2020 Community Survey and Citizen Budget Tool can also be viewed on Connect Whitby.

* Based on the 2020 average residential assessment value of $503,000 as determined by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC)