Council has approved this year’s budget, and priority projects are moving full steam ahead.

I am pleased to confirm that Markham has the lowest total tax rate increase of 25 GTA municipalities over the past six years.

With our city population now at 330,000, an increase of 50,000 people since 2006, along with unexpected ice storm and overall higher than average costs for winter maintenance, we approved a tax rate increase of 2.49 per cent for 2014, which represents $26.72 for the average household.

Markham’s total cumulative tax increase has been just 5.49 per cent over the past six years. This compares to over 14 per cent and 17 per cent for neighbouring communities, and 20 per cent to 33 per cent for other GTA communities.

Markham is one of the fastest growing communities in Ontario, and we provide award-winning services, like being a national leader in waste diversion, so I’m exceptionally proud at how we’ve been able to keep tax rates low.

Our success is validated by external research groups like the Frontier Centre for Public Policy which released its annual ranking on Canadian cities financial transparency and performance this month.

Markham maintained our 1st place national ranking, the same as last year.

This Local Government Performance Index measures almost 30,000 data points to assess how Canada’s 100 largest cities and all provincial and territories capitals compare against each other. It also provides extensive per person and per household data for various considerations, like taxes and debt levels to spending on transport and salaries.

We have also been distinguished by C.D. Howe Institute and the GFOA (Government Finance Officers Association).

Markham is a top financial performer, and our budget reflects the needs of our community.