Budget and Financial
Thank you to everyone who participated in Durham Region's 2024 Budget Town Hall! A recording of the event is available at yourvoice.durham.ca/DurhamBudget and you can view the presentation below.
Durham Region residents continue to be invited to share their feedback and input to help us shape priorities for the 2024 Budget by using the Have Your Say! tool or emailing budgets@durham.ca.
Durham Regional Council approves 2024 Business Plans and Budget Guideline
On December 20, Durham Regional approved a 2024 Property Tax Supported Business Plans and Budget Guideline of a 2.5 per cent increase for the Durham Regional Police Services Board and a 5.0 per cent increase for all other Regional programs and services including a minimum of 0.5 per cent dedicated to fund anticipated property tax impacts resulting from Ontario Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022, Ontario Bill 134, Affordable Homes and Goods Jobs Act, 2023 and related provincial legislation.
The guideline is an important part of the annual process that provides an overall property tax cap for the 2024 Business Plans and Budget, providing guidance to finalize budget submissions to be considered by Regional Council in March 2024. It highlights the significant financial challenges, similar to those faced in other municipalities in the province, and reinforces the need to review the funding model between the provincial, federal and municipal governments.
As the Region accounts for 52 per cent of Durham residents’ total property tax bill on average, the approved guideline of 7.5 per cent translates to an approximate 3.9 per cent increase in the overall property tax bill, an annual budgetary increase of approximately $231 for an average assessment value residential property in Durham Region.
The 2024 Budget will be reviewed by the Finance and Administration Committee on March 19, 2024, and finally by Regional Council on March 27, 2024. To learn about how residents can get involved in the Budget process, or to submit your ideas, priorities and questions, visit yourvoice.durham.ca/DurhamBudget.
Durham Regional Council approves 2024 water and sanitary sewer user rates
Durham Regional Council has approved the 2024 water supply and sanitary sewer user rates, with a combined increase of 4.9 per cent, plus 2.5 per cent for impacts of Ontario Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022, Ontario Bill 134, Affordable Homes and Goods Jobs Act, 2023 and related provincial legislation. The combined 7.4 per cent increase results in an estimated increase of $79.68 annually for an average residential customer.
In addition to ongoing maintenance and operation of the water supply and sanitary sewerage systems, Durham Region has several major projects planned for 2024 that support provincial housing targets, local municipal housing pledges and align with the Region’s asset management strategy.
Durham Region continues to advocate for funding from other levels of government for shortfalls in development charge funding resulting from recent legislation as well as for the unplanned and accelerated infrastructure needs to meet Provincial housing targets.
The approved user rates will take effect on January 1, 2024. Continued investment in the aging municipal water system is required to protect public health and the water environment to meet obligations under the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Ontario Water Resource Act.
The Region’s water and sanitary sewer user rates are reviewed on an annual basis, with recommendations made to Regional Council in December. Information about Durham Region’s water and sanitary sewer system is available at durham.ca/WaterandSewer.
2023 Approved Business Plans and Budget Highlights
On March 23, 2023, Durham Regional Council approved the 2023 Property Tax Supported Business Plans and Budget totalling $1.9 billion in gross expenditures which represents a proposed net property tax increase of 5.2 per cent, or approximately $153 for the average residential home with an assessed value of $483,100.
This budget provides for increased investments in critical front line core service areas like housing and homelessness supports, paramedic services, transit, and police while meeting current economic challenges such as rising inflation and accounting for the future growth of our community.
Through the 2023 Business Plans and Budget, the Region is investing to improve the lives of people and businesses in Durham through everyday services—ensuring a healthy, safe and happy community for all.
For more details about the Region’s 2023 approved business plans and budgets please see the Report and Presentation in the Property Tax Supported Business Plans and Budgets 2023 accordion at the bottom of this page.
Region of Durham Business Plans and Budget Process
The Region of Durham provides a wide range of programs and services to a growing and diverse community of residents and businesses. The annual Business Plans and Budget outlines the cost of delivering these essential programs and services and ensures resource allocations are aligned with Regional Council’s strategic objectives and meet service, infrastructure and legislative requirements within a framework of financial stability and transparency.
The Region’s Business Plans and Budgets are a critical component of the Region’s annual business planning cycle which also includes strategic planning, economic and financial forecasting and performance measurement.
The Region prepares two budgets. The first is for services funded by property taxes, which presents the operating and capital funding requirements for the following Regional services:
- Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS)
- Durham Region Transit (DRT)
- Regional roads and bridges
- Solid waste management
- Social services including social housing, social assistance, children’s services, family services and long-term care and services for seniors
- Public health and paramedic services
- Planning and economic development
- Emergency management
- 9-1-1 services
The second is for water and sanitary sewer services which are billed on a consumption basis to customers who are connected to the municipal systems. These services are user rate supported and are not funded from Regional property taxes.
To learn more about how the Budget is prepared watch this short video.
For more information or questions about the budget, please contact us at budgets@durham.ca or by phone at 905-668-7711 extension 2302 or 1-800-372-1102 (toll-free).
Property Tax Supported Business Plans and Budgets
2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
2017 |
Long-Term Service and Financing Strategies
Durham Region Transit Service and Financing Strategy |
Paramedic Services Service and Financing Strategy |
Water Supply and Sanitary Sewage Systems Business Plans and Budgets
2019 |
2018 |
2017 |
Region of Durham Water Financial Plan
2019 |
Contact Us