Newmarket Council Meeting on October 13, 2020
First Responders, Front Line and Essential Workers named Honorary Citizens
First Responders, Front Line and Essential Workers were presented the Honorary Citizen Award for their commitment to keeping our community safe every day, and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A small socially-distanced event was held on October 9 at Fairy Lake Park to present representatives from each respective area with their Honorary Citizen Award.
Council continues to balance the economic impact of COVID-19 while ensuring fiscal responsibility in the 2021 Budget
For 2021, Newmarket Council was presented with a 2.99 per cent tax increase which equates to approximately $64.79 for the average residential property assessed at $700,000.
At this time, it is estimated that any losses resulting from COVID-19 in 2020 will not have a direct impact on the 2021 Budget. This means there will be no deficit to carryover and no additional tax increases due to the pandemic.
The pandemic will have an indirect impact to the 2020 capital projects required to be carried over, uncertainty about when and how hard a second wave will impact the municipality, and what the "new normal" will look like; and a slower economy (growth and inflation) due to the pandemic.
In an effort to continue to be fiscally responsible to the community, the Town was directed to find approximately $508,000 in savings through budget reductions. Staff reached this target and exceeded it by 7%.
Residents can continue to get involved in the 2021 Budget process by tuning into the Special Committee of the Whole Meeting on October 19 where Council will be discussing Rate-supported Operating Budgets. Learn more at newmarket.ca/2021budget.