Durham Regional Council Approves 2025 Budget Guideline

On September 25, 2024, the Durham Regional Council approved the 2025 Property Tax Supported Business Plans and Budget Guideline. The guideline sets an overall property tax increase cap of 4.9% for 2025. This includes a 9.25% budget increase for the Durham Regional Police Services Board, 2.50% for conservation authorities, and 5.96% for other regional programs and services such as transit, paramedics, housing, long-term care, social services, roads and bridges, and public health programs.

The Region accounts for 53% of Durham residents' total property tax bill on average. The approved guideline translates to an approximate 2.5% increase in the overall property tax bill, which is about $163 annually for an average residential property owner in Durham Region.

The tax levy guideline supports increased funding for critical frontline services, including police, transit, paramedics, housing, and homelessness support programs, as well as the maintenance and renewal of the Region's road and bridge infrastructure. The Region of Durham is facing financial challenges similar to other municipalities across the province, highlighting the need to review the funding model between provincial, federal, and municipal governments.

The guideline is a preliminary step in the annual budget process, providing direction for the finalization of the 2025 Business Plans and Budget submission, which will be considered by the Regional Council in December.

Residents are invited to participate in shaping the 2025 Budget by joining a Budget Town Hall on October 10 at 6:30 p.m. More information and registration details are available at yourvoice.durham.ca/DurhamBudget.