Milton homeowners can expect an estimated 6.43 per cent increase in property taxes next year, amounting to about $49.87 per $100,000 of property assessment.
This follows council’s review of the 2025 budget under Ontario’s strong mayor framework.
Presented by Chief Financial Officer Glen Cowan Monday night (Dec. 2) at town hall, the $110-million operating budget reflects a 9.89 per cent increase in the local tax levy, while the capital budget allocates $140 million across 138 projects.
“The process is slightly different under the strong mayor power, and instead of being approved, rather it's passively adopted once we've gone through all of the necessary steps,” Cowan noted.
He described the budget as a balance between addressing immediate needs and planning for the future, while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
The budget supports key investments in transit, infrastructure, fire services and public safety.
Some of the highlights include:
- Transit upgrades: Introduction of Sunday service for Milton Transit and extended weekday hours to 10:30 p.m., as well as new buses to expand service in Boyne and Derry Green areas.
- Parks and recreation: Construction of new Bowes Neighbourhood Park, conversion of multi-use courts in Coates Neighbourhood Park North to pickleball courts and in Bristol Park to lit pickleball courts — alongside planned improvements to various parks and recreation facilities.
- Roadwork: Urbanization of Nipissing Road, rehabilitation of Ontario Street, Appleby Line and Milburough Line and replacement of the Fourth Line Nassagaweya Bridge.
- Fire services: Adding 14 full-time staff to Milton Fire Department to help achieve full urban coverage.
The final tax impact awaits Halton Region’s budget approval.
The majority of council supported the overall budget.
Mayor Gord Krantz was among those who expressed concerns about the direction, noting that the current council will have overseen an approximate 40 per cent cumulative tax increase since 2022.
“I've been involved in many, many councils, and I think this council might go down on record,” he said. “We did something tonight. We grew bureaucracy a little larger again, here in the Town of Milton.”
Similarly, Coun. John Challinor said that the Town is going to have to be a little more inventive when it comes to the bottom line in the future, suggesting “this is not a sustainable path.”
“We need to find new ways to drive revenue for the corporation that don’t involve the taxpayer," he said.
In supporting the budget, Coun. Colin Best said Milton has the lowest tax rate but the highest growth in the region — if not the GTA.
“If we want growth, we're gonna have to pay for it… but we also have to serve the residents,” Best said, citing 1,700 new homes built as of September.
Coun. Sarah Marshall added that the budget reflects thoughtful consideration of the community’s needs despite the challenges of growth and inflation.
“I hope we continue on a path of taking the time to look at what our community needs are, and not just simply saying no, and not just simply saying we don't need this. We are actually considering what the community has, and I think that our budget reflects that, and I'm proud of that,” Marshall said.