I am pleased to present the Town of Aurora’s 2025 and 2026 Operating Budgets and 10-Year Capital Plan. This Budget maintains all current service levels and makes strategic investments in key areas that will sustain Aurora’s very high quality of life.
The proposed tax-levy increase for 2025 is 3.5 percent and 2.9 percent for 2026 – This increase includes a one percent rise in capital reserve contributions, ensuring long-term financial stability for major community projects. It was extremely important to keep this tax increase as low as possible, as I know that many people in our community continue to feel financially strained. The inflationary portion of the tax levy is lower than the Consumer Price Index, and the Town of Aurora continues to strive to keep the levy in-line or below the level of inflation.
This Budget ensures the Town of Aurora can continue offering all the exceptional services and programs that are important to so many community members, including our world-class recreational programs, Town-led special events, snow clearing, maintenance of our parks and trails, and so much more. Moreover, it enables us to support Central York Fire Services and other important community partners, including the Aurora Public Library and the Aurora Cultural Centre, organizations that all significantly improve the lives of Aurorans.
In 2025, we will also move forward on key capital projects in our 10-Year-Capital Plan that will significantly strengthen our community as we continue to grow. These include modernizing Town facilities, redeveloping playgrounds, and improving tennis and pickleball courts in several parks. We will enhance the Benjamin Pearson Park boardwalk, upgrade our technology to accommodate online tax and water billing for residents, conduct a Traffic Calming Study, and develop a Community Planning Permit By-law to streamline zoning and approval processes to accommodate our projected growth. Importantly, we will make needed improvements to local infrastructure, including numerous roads, stormwater ponds, sewers and pumping stations – projects that keep Aurorans healthy and moving, and that also ensures we’re climate resilient.
This Budget is the result of a tremendous amount of teamwork, with staff, elected officials, residents and businesses all providing input on priorities during our pre-budget consultations. I want to thank everyone for their input and their commitment to helping make Aurora one of the best places to live, work and raise a family. #LeadershipThatGetsThingsDone
2 Responses
What are the gross increases to the Mayor and Members of Council compensation, including benefits, severances, and expenses in the 2025 and 2026 Budgets?
I strongly encourage the town to look for cost efficiencies to keep property tax increases at inflation.
I appreciate the challenge of this but from experience it is essential for improving financial stewardship.