Mississauga residents will see 1.5 per cent tax increase on city’s portion of the bill

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Published December 8, 2021 at 5:17 pm

Mississauga residents will see a 1.5 per cent property tax increase next year on the city portion of their bills after Mississauga City Council gave the final green light to its 2022 budget today. 

In unanimously approving a net operating budget of $581.1 million, the City of Mississauga also gave the go-ahead for a 1 per cent tax hike for business owners on Mississauga’s portion of the tax bill. 

The Region of Peel, which is responsible for the largest portion of residential tax bills, looks to approve its 2022 budget tomorrow. It’s proposing a 1.6 per cent hike, which translates to an average increase of $78 for residents. 

The typical Peel home would also see an increase to utility bills of $47 per year, while small businesses would see an annual increase of $118. 

City officials say the budget, which also includes a 2022-2025 business plan for Mississauga, balances competing priorities and guides investment in more than 200 programs and services including recreation, parks, and fire and emergency services “ensuring they remain affordable” for residents. 

“This year’s budget is lean, flexible and allows us to manage the changing needs and expectations of Mississauga residents and businesses as we work to meet our short- and long-term recovery goals,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “Tough times call for prudent and thoughtful actions. I want to thank our Council and staff for their work and careful consideration of the City’s needs including important strategic investments in public safety, maintaining our infrastructure and our green assets.” 

Mississauga’s 2022 budget includes the following investments: 

  • $99.6 million for hybrid bus replacement
  • $30.4 million for rehabilitation of roads
  • $25.4 million for Central Library renovation
  • $25.4 million for winter maintenance
  • $24.3 million for park redevelopment and renewal
  • $21.1 million for Burnhamthorpe Community Centre redevelopment 
  • $9.4 million for active transportation (walking, cycling etc.) 
  • $3 million for aerial spray program (gypsy moths)

City Manager Paul Mitcham said 2022 looks to be another challenging year with MiWay transit ridership losses and other pandemic-related impacts. 

He said City number crunchers focused on putting together the strongest financial plan possible under the circumstances. 

“We’ve reduced costs, limited spending and invested strategically in quality services,” said Mitcham, adding staff and City Council struck a balance between delivering services and programs, strategic planning and maintaining existing services.  

“We remain optimistic about the future and continue to make decisions to help us mitigate the ongoing impacts of the pandemic.” 

That includes, he added, advocating for funding from senior levels of government.  

Shari Lichterman, the City’s chief financial officer and commisioner of corporate services, said much of the 2022 budget invests in projects to build, maintain and rehabilitate infrastructure residents rely on such as community centres, roads, sidewalks and bike lanes. 

 

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