Oshawa homeowners looking at a 1.78 per cent increase in property taxes – proposed budget

With the City still facing pandemic-related revenue shortfalls almost across the board and higher departmental requests at nearly the same rate, perhaps a 1.78 tax levy increase is not too much of an ask for Oshawa residents and business owners.

Those residents and business owners may have something different to say about the property tax hike, however, and they can get their chance to have a say in the process as well when the 2022 proposed City Budget is released today.

Total revenues this year were $162,399,984 while expenses totalled $165,104,126. That’s a $2.7 million shortfall and that represents the 1.78 per cent tax increase, which translates to just under $36 annually on a house assessed at $356,000 – the average house assessment value in Oshawa.

Oshawa Chief Administrative Officer Paul Ralph said the COVID-19 pandemic has had a “significant impact” on municipal finances including lost revenues and increased costs. These impacts have been partially offset through cost containment mitigation measures and using $3.09 million from the Federal-Provincial Safe Restart Funds.

Parking revenue is up $3.83 million as business slowly returns to a level close to ‘normal’ and the Tribute Community Centre’s operating deficit is ‘only’ $788,600 – which is much better than the $1.43 million shortfall in 2020-21

Departmental budgets increased this year, from the relatively small increase requested from the Mayor and Council ($28,500) to the large hikes at Community Services ($1.95 million) and Corporate Services ($1.6 million).

📢 City staff are presenting the proposed 2022 #OshBudget to Council today (Nov. 12). The proposed Budget is now available online for your review. Learn where to find it and more: – https://t.co/eXb2U8DwUW pic.twitter.com/sirpxbrXeU

— City of Oshawa (@oshawacity) November 12, 2021

Ralph thanked staff for delivering a budget in an “uncertain economic climate” that “invests in key strategic priorities” to strengthen the future of the City “while also balancing affordability with the delivery of quality services.”

The document will come up for review at Council on November 26 and December 3 before Council votes on it December 10.

Members of the public can see the document at 2022 Budget