Regional Council approves 2021 business plans and budget

Whitby, Ontario – Durham Regional Council has approved the 2021 Regional Business Plans and Budget for property-tax supported purposes.

The 2021 Property Tax Supported Business Plans and Budget totals $1.488 billion. This is funded 48.9 per cent from property taxes. Residents will see a net property tax increase of 1.98 per cent on the Regional portion of their property tax bill or approximately $55 for the average residential home assessed at $483,100.  

The property tax supported business plans and budget provides for the increased demands on the Region’s front-line programs and services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and positions the Region to implement its COVID-19 recovery plan. The budget also allows for targeted investments in key priorities identified in the Region’s Strategic Plan while balancing the need for taxpayer affordability and competitive property taxes.

Highlights of the 2021 Property Tax Supported Business Plans and Budget include:

• The implementation of body worn cameras by Durham Regional Police (year one of a three-year phase-in of the program).
• Investments to enhance the level of care and supports for residents of Durham’s long-term care homes.
• Opening the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) office to provide a dedicated focus to the Region’s anti-racism initiatives, including the development of a community based anti-racism task force.
• Investments in climate and environmental sustainability including the development and implementation of a Corporate Climate Change Master Plan, and the launch of an innovative Durham Home Energy Savings program to help homeowners reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions and pilot a bio cover application on the former Oshawa landfill site. 
• myDurham311 modernization initiative to transform the Region’s customer service delivery.
• Advance the deployment of broadband infrastructure to underserved areas pending successful outcomes of the Region’s various grant applications.
• Continue to advance the Municipal Comprehensive Review of the Region’s Official Plan: “Envision Durham.”
• Prepare a Transit Oriented Development implementation strategy to capitalize on the economic and community building benefits associated with rapid transit investment.
• Significant social housing commitments towards supportive housing developments.
• Work with the province and Lakeridge Health to provide three additional nurses for the mental health support unit.
• Provide funding for Grandview Children’s Centre, Lakeridge Health Bowmanville, Durham College Whitby and Trent University Durham for their capital building projects under the Region’s Community Investment Grant program.
• Advance Durham Region Transit’s service recovery plan as ridership increases, including the introduction of more frequent service on existing routes, the reintroduction of scheduled services to areas currently served by OnDemand, and network enhancements including service to the new Amazon facility in Ajax.
• Ongoing development of a new Long-Term Solid Waste Management Master Plan.
• Increase waste diversion through the advancement of the Region’s Pre-Sort and Anerobic Digestion facility.
• Provide for the ongoing operation, maintenance, renewal and expansion of the Region’s infrastructure including roads, bridges, fleet, equipment and facilities. 

Residents are reminded that the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) sets the assessed value for each individual property. Questions about property valuation should be directed to MPAC at 1-866-296-6722 or mpac.ca.

For more information on Regional responsibilities, including programs and services, please visit durham.ca.

Quotes

“Despite the fiscal pressures facing the Region due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Regional departments have presented a budget for 2021 that upholds our high-quality programs and services, supports key priorities and maintains taxpayer affordability. We recognize the financial impact the pandemic continues to have on our local economy and continue to evolve and adapt while supporting residents and businesses through these challenging times.”

- John Henry, Regional Chair and CEO

“The 2021 Business Plans and Budget reflect our current economic climate; addressing the issues and priorities important to Durham Region residents—such as community safety, protecting the vulnerable, and climate change—while balancing the delivery of essential services to sustain our region’s high quality of life.”

- Nancy Taylor, Commissioner of Finance

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For more information, contact Corporate Communications.