City passes $13.4B operating budget including 2.55% property tax hike

Toronto city council overwhelmingly approved a $13.4-billion operating budget for 2019 which includes a 2.55 per cent property tax hike.

With the annual levy for the mayor’s previously approved city building funds factored in, the property tax increase comes in at 3.58 per cent, which will amount to around $104 more per year for the average household in Toronto, totaling around $4.3 billion this year.

As CityNews reporter Mark McAllister reported from city hall, some councillors argued for larger increases to help pay for crucial services in their respective wards.

“Council approved a responsible #BudgetTO that preserves and invests in City services while keeping the property tax increase at the rate of inflation,” Mayor John Tory said in a late night tweet.

“This budget ensures we will have more recreation spaces for families, more youth hubs, more police officers, and more improvements to TTC service.”

The budget includes a three per cent increase in the water rate, 2.2 per cent increase in garbage collection rates, a 10 cent hike in TTC fares and a $30-million increase in the police budget.

One of the many motions that went down to defeat included councillor Mike Layton’s attempt to reintroduce a $60 vehicle registration tax.

Councillor Gord Perks suggests an additional 2% to property tax increase to “make the city more affordable” for those in need of services pic.twitter.com/aNur1K7yFe

— Mark McAllister (@McAllister_Mark) March 7, 2019

Councillor Mike Layton also suggests adding more to proposed property tax increase. 0.02% + 0.84% + 0.16% for various programs. pic.twitter.com/VvRnH59fZJ

— Mark McAllister (@McAllister_Mark) March 7, 2019

There’s a theme emerging… more motions. Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam also suggests an additional 0.006% (!) to property tax increase for Regent Park aquatic program.

— Mark McAllister (@McAllister_Mark) March 7, 2019