Newmarket launches 2025 budget process
Each year, the Town of Newmarket undertakes a detailed budget planning process to ensure the needs of our community are met now and in the future. The primary objective of the 2025 budget is to continue aligning the Town's commitment to service excellence while maintaining fiscal stewardship.
Council has set an ambitious target for the operating budget tax levy to be below 3% to continue to keep Newmarket property taxes 10% lower than the GTHA average.
Every budget practice includes an in-depth review of costs to find savings and deliver value to residents. In addition to funding critical day-to-day operations, the Town continues to grow reserves to fund future infrastructure upgrades and replacement initiatives as Town assets age.
Staff presented Council with the budget process and received confirmation of the below 3% tax levy target as the first step in the 2025 budget process. The community will be engaged throughout the process, leading up to the preliminary draft budget presentation in the fall and Council's budget approval at the December 9 Council meeting.
Learn more about the municipal budget breakdown and schedule for creating the 2025 in the staff report.
Council approves new parking spots on Church Street
Council approved 40 additional parking spaces on Church Street to ease parking challenges this summer while work begins on the new modular parking structure, which will add 200 parking spots downtown once complete.
Parking spaces are on the east side of Church Street (just west of Main Street) between Millard Avenue and Eagle Street. These spots were previously designated as no parking.
In addition to opening these parking spots, the Town is working with the Main Street BIA on a program to encourage local business owners and employees in the downtown area to utilize parking spots outside of the downtown core, freeing up prime parking spots for Main Street patrons. The Town is also limiting bookings at the Community Centre and Lions Hall during peak times to further alleviate parking pressures. Review the parking map to see the options available downtown.
Parking on Church Street will be monitored and reviewed after the Downtown Parking Structure is completed.
Read the Staff Report for more information on Church Street Parking and learn more about the new parking structure at newmarket.ca
10 things to know about YRP in Newmarket
York Regional Police presented an update to Council on policing in Newmarket, highlighting the local trends in 9-1-1 calls, how YRP is addressing crime prevention and what residents can do too.
Here are 10 things to know about YRP in Newmarket:
- Our local YRP district is the biggest. York Regional Police (YRP) is broken into five districts across the region. District #1 which operates out of Harry Walker Parkway serves approximately 200,000 people over nearly 700 square kilometres including the municipalities of Aurora, King, East Gwillimbury and Newmarket. District #1 includes 238 Sworn Police Officers and 10 Civilian Members with 9 patrol cars dedicated to Newmarket. Plus an extra car can be directed where needed.
- The #1 reason people in Newmarket call YRP is because they are worried about someone. In 2023 YRP received nearly 13,000 calls. The top call category last year was to check welfare. This is someone expressing concern for a fellow resident, from someone on the street, to a neighbour they haven't seen in a while. Other common calls were for "persons in crisis" or to "assist citizen" all demonstrating Newmarket cares!
- A Community Oriented Response team focuses on proactive issues. This team of 12 officers focus on two key issues – road safety and street enforcement. They are in uniform but do not respond to calls, this way they have opportunity for more proactive enforcement and engagement in the community.
- Mental Health is a key component of YRP's work. A dedicated Mental Health Support Team pairs an officer in plain clothes with a crisis worker who can provide additional support, including connection with hospitals. Family and domestic violence calls are among the top calls from the public. When these calls are received, Victim Services of York Region is also engaged and will join the officer on scene to provide an appropriate response and hub for other resources.
- Make the call - you can help stop impaired driving. If you suspect someone may be driving impaired, call it in! 1 in 6 calls from the public results in an arrest for impaired driving.
- The Helicopter is a helpful eye in the sky. It's a hot topic on social media – why is the helicopter out? The instinct is to worry something serious is up. The helicopter can provide invaluable information oversight and help to support patrol cars by providing an eye in the sky, or a presence to remind motorists to slow down and be cautious. It's also extremely helpful in tracking stolen vehicles as it minimizes the risk of street pursuits.
- YRP can help set up a Neighbourhood Watch in your area! Neighbourhood Watch is a great way to meet your neighbours, look out for one another and notice suspicious activity. The YRP Crime Prevention unit can help set up a group in your area. Learn more at yrp.ca's Neighbourhood Watch page.
- Crimes are more likely when there is opportunity. Use a multi-prong approach to protect your home and vehicle. Simple steps like locking your home or car; using a steering wheel lock, blocking a coveted car in by one that's less vulnerable. Another crime prevention tool is a faraday bag. They protect electronic devices, such as key fobs, smartphones and credit cards from being hacked, tracked or compromised. Use this vehicle safety list as a checklist. Did you know in York Region there are nearly 400 auto thefts each month? In Newmarket, there are 10-12 on average each month.
- Cameras are important in catching people of interest. Do you have a camera at your door? If you spot suspicious activity on your camera, don't just share the footage with your friends on Facebook, share it with the police! Residents are encouraged to register their personal cameras with YRP through the Security camera registry to help aid in policing. You never know when a small piece of information you have could be a missing link to a bigger case. In addition, YRP has initiated a CCTV community camera program, including a camera at the corner of Yonge and Davis.
- Some crimes can be reported online: Smaller, non-urgent crimes can be reported online using the Online Reporting Tool. Reporting these types of crimes (lost property, road watch, etc.) online helps find efficiencies to give officers more time to respond to complex crimes.
The presentation showcased that Newmarket residents are willing to reach out when they see something out of the ordinary, whether its suspicious behaviour or someone who seems unwell. YRP encourages the community to make the call, whether it's to 9-1-1 for an immediate emergency or for non-emergencies to call 1-866-876-5423 (remember to save this number to your phone!)
Listen to the presentation from Superintendent Russ Bellman or check out the slides here.