PEEL PROPOSES 3.8% NET LEVY

The Region of Peel is looking at its 2022 budget and staff are proposing a 3.8 per cent net tax levy for residents and businesses.

That increase includes a 1.6 per cent increase on property taxes, and a 5.8 per increase on utilities.

For an average household, that's $78 more on property taxes annually and a $47 increase on regional utilities.

So, how did staff get this number? We're going to try to help explain.

The Region of Peel is proposing a $2.7-billion operating budget, and a $1.1-billion capital budget.

The costs of maintaining Region of Peel services is estimated to have increased 0.4 per cent, and the cost of new initiatives are going to cost 0.5 per cent. Maintaining infrastructure is going to cost one per cent more on the budget supported by property taxes, and a 1.8 per cent increase will support external agencies.

There are a few bigger ticket items that account for this increase in operating costs; $2.1 million on the new seniors health and wellness village at Peel Manor in Brampton, $1.2 million in housing subsidies and $1 million in increased support to community agencies.

On the utilities side, the cost of operations is increasing 1.5 per cent and a five per cent increase in the budget will help maintain infrastructure. An increase in regional utility consumption is also accounting for a 0.7 per cent increase.

The region is taking $16 million out of reserves to offset the costs of reduced payments from the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, temporary staffing, and increased cleaning and personal protective equipment related to the pandemic.

The proposed budget is going to be presented to regional council today. The meeting starts at 9:30 a.m. and is held virtually online. Budget deliberations are set for Dec. 9 and Dec. 16.