Average regional property taxpayer could pay $88 more next year: draft budget

The average property owner in Waterloo region couldpay an extra $88on their regional property tax bill in 2020, according to a draft version of the upcoming regional budget.

Overall, the draft budget pegs property taxes at a 4.34 per cent increase over 2019, more than double the current rate of inflation.

The cost of regional services, such as public transit and paramedic services, would account for 2.58 per cent of the increase.

The remaining 1.77 per cent of the tax hike would go directly toward policing.

Coun. Sean Strickland, the region's budget committee chair, said he hopes the police services board and council will be able to find ways of trimming the budget down in the coming months.

"Most incomes aren't increasing greater than two percent a year," Strickland told CBC Kitchener-WaterlooThe Morning Edition's hostCraig Norris.

"When you have tax increases that are more than more than double that, I think it becomes a real affordability question."

The projected regional tax rate increase does not account for any possible tax increases by individual cities and townships, which are also hammeringout their upcoming budgets.

Why the increase

At a regional level, employee compensation is one of the key drivers. It will make up an estimated 30 per cent of total budgeted regional spending in 2020.

Some of the other costs affecting the regional budget include:

• Paying down previous service enhancements, including those for paramedic services and Grand River Transit.
• Development charge exemptions.
• Winter maintenance and snow removal.
• The regional transportation master plan.

Strickland said "slowing down" on program expansion and hiring will be needed to keep tax increases in check.

Karen Redman, who is both regional chair and chair of the police services board, said the increase to the draft police budget is due to "a number" of drivers.

These drivers include a new long-term disability system and the replacement of the police voice radio system, Redman said.

"More work is being done to ensure a balanced approach for all regional programs and policing to ensure we provide adequate and effective services in all areas," Redman said in an email statement.

How to weigh in

People in the region can weigh in on the draft budget online. They can also have their say during a series of upcoming public input sessions, the first of which is set for Nov. 26.

The final budget day is scheduled for January 22, 2020.