Last night, at a Special Council meeting, Whitby Town Council approved the Town’s 2024 Budget, wrapping up the 2024 budget process.

The approved budget will result in a 4.4 per cent Town budget increase or an estimated 1.5 per cent residential bill increase to support Town services. This represents an increase of just over 25* cents per day, per household for the delivery of important services residents rely on every day, like waste collection, snow clearing and parks maintenance. This budget focuses on maintaining the Town’s essential service delivery, reducing Whitby’s environmental footprint, and modernizing municipal systems and processes to better support the community, while planning for growth.

The Town’s $175 million operating budget will support the continued delivery of the Town’s programs and services including fire services, waste collection, parks and trails, maintenance of roads and community facilities, recreation, libraries, and many other important services. The budget also includes $84 million in capital investments like:

• playground and accessibility improvements at three locations: Vipond, Sato, and College Downs Parks;
• park improvements, including a new cricket pitch at Jeffery Park, renovated basketball court at Baycliffe Park, splashpad surface replacement at Cachet Park, and playground surface replacement at Oceanpearl Park;
• continued construction of the Whitby Sports Complex;
• Waterfront Trail improvements around Corbett Creek, including pedestrian bridge and boardwalk replacement and trail widening;
• new and improved multi-use path and cycling connections; and,
• environmental sustainability investments that will reduce the Town’s net Greenhouse Gas emissions, including new Electric Vehicle charging stations.

Economic pressures like rising inflation and continued growth, made this a challenging budget. Council listened to feedback from the community and we’re investing in what matters most to residents. Things like green spaces, facilities, safety on our streets and service essentials. This includes the acquisition of land for a new fire station and recruitment of new firefighters; improvements to parks, playgrounds, and trails; and continued work on the Mid-Arterial Roadway, which will open employment lands for development and create local jobs. The budget also plans for growth and builds a strong foundation for the coming years. I’m grateful to work together with councillors and staff who care deeply about making the right investments, now and for the future.

-            Elizabeth Roy, Mayor, Town of Whitby

I am pleased we could deliver a budget that prioritizes the essential service delivery our community relies on. This year’s budget was challenging due to inflation, growth, and other pressures. I’d like to thank my fellow Council members for working hard to ensure this budget reflects the feedback we’ve heard through conversations with our residents. I’m especially pleased that the 2024 Budget includes $75,000 for physician recruitment, recognizing that residents who used our Citizen Budget tool identified this as a key priority. I am also very proud of the Town’s environmental leadership.

-        Maleeha Shahid, Regional Councillor and Budget Chair, Town of Whitby

Quick Facts  

• 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 residential property tax bill is 35 per cent. The Town is also responsible for collecting property taxes on behalf of the Region of Durham and the School Boards.
• During the development of the 2024 Budget, staff identified $0.6 million of budget savings and $0.2 million in user fee increases to mitigate the 2024 property tax impact.
• Whitby remains mid-range for the local taxes paid on a home assessed at $503,000 among Durham lakeshore municipalities.
• The Town’s tax rebate program to support low-income seniors and low-income homeowners with disabilities will increase to $500 this year. Learn more about how to apply.
• The Town’s 2024 budget engagement site saw over 11,000 visitors.  The approved budget considered community feedback through the Town’s Citizen Budget Tool. Top priorities included the continued revitalization of Whitby’s downtowns, more green spaces, and the enhancement of the Town’s indoor and outdoor facilities.

More Information

The approved 2024 Budget is available online at connectwhitby.ca/budget. Results of the 2024 Citizen Budget Tool can also be viewed on Connect Whitby. For comments or questions about the budget, contact the Financial Services Department at treasury@whitby.ca or by phone at 905.430.4300 x1952.

* Approximately 25 cents per day (or $92 per year) is based on the average Whitby residential assessment value of $503,000 as determined by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Erin Mikaluk, Manager, Communications and Creative Services, Town of Whitby
Phone: 289.314.6913
Email: mikaluke@whitby.ca

Jillian Follert, Public Affairs Coordinator, Office of the Mayor
Phone: 289.387.9101
Email: follertj@whitby.ca