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Project Teaser: Coming this Fall - Community engagement on the three proposed facility design concepts! (Check project timeline for details)<hr>Preparation is underway to bring a brand new Recreation Complex &amp; Library to Pickering&rsquo;s growing community of Seaton.Pickering&#39;s population is expected to grow to over 150,000 by 2036. As such, with high population growth comes higher demand for City growth-related infrastructure, like fire stations, roads, parks, libraries, and community/recreation facilities.The new Seaton Recreation Complex &amp; Library will help meet both the immediate and future needs of Pickering&#39;s growing community, and will be located at the re-aligned Whitevale Road (future Alexander Knox) &amp; Sideline 24 (future Burkholder Drive).This will be Pickering&rsquo;s first multipurpose recreation complex built in Pickering since the Pickering Recreation Complex (now the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex) opened in 1983.Amenities are envisioned to include:1. Aquatics Centre (with 25-metre, 6-8 lane pool and separate warm water leisure pool) 2. Gymnasium (divisible) 3. Fitness Centre and Studios 4. Full Service Library (with collections, Maker Space, printing centre, small meeting rooms, teen area, children&rsquo;s area, and work/study spaces) 5. Multi-purpose Program Rooms (various) 6. Arena (2 pads) 7. Walking Track 8. Support Spaces (e.g., lobby, change rooms, office space, storage) 9. Outdoor Spaces (e.g., destination playground, splash pad, sport courts)The final amenities and functional programs will be guided by the City&#39;s Recreation &amp; Parks - Ten Year Plan, the Pickering Public Library&#39;s Strategic Plan, and most importantly, community consultation.Project kick-off! View our video message from Mayor Ashe, CAO, and Project Leads: <iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/POjNOlNahMI??si=SFC9cN53Bq0T3_A7&wmode=opaque&rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe>Project Updates - follow our News Feed below for the latestJuly 2, 2024 - Pickering selects Architect for highly anticipated Seaton Recreation Complex &amp; Library Read Report <a href="https://corporate.pickering.ca/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=255165&dbid=1&repo=PICKERING" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">OPS 12-24</a> for details. Read entire <a href="https://letstalkpickering.ca/seaton/news_feed/july-2-2024-pickering-selects-architect-for-highly-anticipated-seaton-recreatio" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">News Release</a>.<hr>Get involved!Stay tuned for opportunities to get involved.

Seaton Recreation Complex & Library

The City of Pickering is making an investment in arts, heritage, and culture with the Pickering Heritage &amp; Community Centre. This innovative project will bring the Museum, Library, and Community Centre into one dynamic facility.<img src="https://s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/ehq-production-canada/0f5e099e07b54f3a7ab66e004ea8c435ac9fa24a/original/1681760688/7e2543af99ec8871c7fe735f0a3badd3_rendering1.png?1681760688" style="width: 1072px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-fil">Construction of this 44,000 square-foot facility has commenced (as of February 2024), and is being undertaken by J.R. Certus Construction Co. Ltd. <hr> What amenities will the new facility have?<ul><li>Exhibit gallery</li><li>Program room</li><li>Multi-purpose hall (with a stage)</li><li>Kitchen suitable for public programs</li><li>Storage for the museum artifact collection (over 11,000 artifacts), City&#39;s archives, and the Public Library&#39;s local history collection</li><li>Gift shop </li><li>Outdoor program spaces (with an art garden and patio) </li></ul><hr> Library SpacesThe Pickering Public Library is designing two valuable spaces within this new facility: our Local History Resource Centre and an Express Library Kiosk.The Local History Resource Centre will be a destination for a wide variety of visitors, offering access to collections, staff assistance, and innovative programming. Students, researchers, and family historians will be able to comb through documents and photographs that bring the people, places, and events of Pickering&rsquo;s history, stories and journeys to life.And for all residents, library services will be available through the Express Library Kiosk. This innovative service prototype will be open the same hours as the rest of the building and feature holds pick-up, freshly, curated collections, comfortable spaces and access to essential technology. <hr> Where will the facility be located? The facility will be located on the Pickering Museum Village site. #1 on the map marks where the Pickering Heritage &amp; Community Centre will be located.During construction, the Pickering Museum Village, located on the lower site of the property, will remain open. Vehicular traffic can enter the site via Gate #3 from Greenwood Road.<a href="https://letstalkpickering.ca/36449/widgets/150244/documents/124271" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><img src="https://s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/ehq-production-canada/d66139e232e7a2072dce3c595b91c708ccfc6c8b/original/1708539840/bd9209078a1b969cc148a644cf78581f_PMV_Map_2024.jpg?1708539840" style="width: 1000px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></a> <hr> Invest in Culture<ul><li>Work towards reconciling our histories through interpretation, participation, and displays in partnership with Indigenous communities.</li><li>Conserve and promote Ontario&rsquo;s diverse heritage with dedicated climate-controlled collections storage and exhibit display spaces for Pickering Museum Village.</li><li>Offer year-round access to arts, heritage, and culture, expanding the scope of culture-based programs and services available in the community.</li><li>Connect people and communities by sharing and celebrating diverse pasts and bright futures through public programming and events.</li></ul>Invest in InfrastructureThe City is committed to maintaining safe and accessible infrastructure for all community members, and as such, replacing the aging Greenwood Community Centre, which dates back to 1970, has been identified as a priority for the City.Located immediately to the east of the Museum&#39;s lower site, at 3551 Greenwood Road, the Greenwood Community Centre is a roughly 8,400 square-foot, two-storey structure built of concrete block and steel framing. It was constructed in 1970 and has no wall insulation. Lack of insulation, aging windows, and the poor condition of the building envelope also makes it expensive to heat and cool.By replacing with the Pickering Heritage &amp; Community Centre, the City will be able to provide a modern an accessible space for community groups to gather and host a variety of programs, services, and events.Serve the Community<ul><li>Transform the Museum into a year-round operation, significantly increasing access to programs, services, and spaces.</li><li>Improve access to Local History collections and other community collections by centralizing in one location.</li><li>Improve public access to Library services, technology, collections, programs, and spaces.</li><li>Be more accessible. The new facility is expected to welcome up to 300 users at one time.</li></ul> <hr> This project is guided by the City&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.pickering.ca/en/discovering/cultural-strategic-plan.aspx" title="View our Cultural Strategic Plan page">Cultural Strategic Plan</a>, which sets a vision for the place of arts, culture, and heritage in the City and identifies strategic directions for policy, investment, partnerships, and programs.The Pickering Heritage &amp; Community Centre has a strong vision and seven guiding principles in place (Belonging &amp; Wellbeing, Learning &amp; Storytelling, Innovation, Adaption &amp; Responsiveness, Discovery &amp; Play, Sustainability, and Decolonization). View the entire PHCC Vision &amp; Guiding Principles document <a href="https://letstalkpickering.ca/36449/widgets/150244/documents/103095" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here.</a><img src="https://s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/ehq-production-canada/f420d923a882fff1451321ada0b80608891ff50c/original/1681832054/10377145460317a321e0682499d1e0cf_Homepage_Banner_%2821%29.png?1681832054" style="width: 1000px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-fil"><img src="https://s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/ehq-production-canada/40569652ef79044a396e7c7e24b93d001a09d645/original/1681830772/0602548d1a40f3855c43266f9298c3dc_funded_by.JPG?1681830772" style="width: 415px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"> <hr> Engagement OpportunitiesStay tuned to this project page for upcoming community engagement opportunities!

Pickering Heritage & Community Centre

The community engagement period is now closed. Please stay tuned for future updates. <img src="https://s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/ehq-production-canada/d8fb674a0f161b2ea5593d657174dfbc0971e68e/original/1623418987/774a07ea6600ed3f0d40e4fc524cee02_Slide-4-Study-Area-Map_Test3.png?1623418987" style="width: 775px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-fil">Pickering&rsquo;s waterfront has been significantly impacted by major storms and annual high water levels. For these reasons, we need to re-imagine <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/beachfrontpark?__eep__=6&__cft__%5b0%5d=AZWps0wDETuNlNJ570qL8aZoDk6WyBOfPt4hymA-IYuuga1KJCnSr72i6OdO-ZhohUNEETUUzugwYoJcr27GaZRiDEGIA-eDbEkFpFgNkDvRuQ6waXFLDBeMx3ihHaMqyMELTLLACOXPiM0_IdZeFpOyzUK5u8UTs3X1--4aoecK6FW8igXZ2RMID9gEMfq-1lo&__tn__=*NK-R">#BeachfrontPark</a>.While our main goal is to create a unique and inviting space for our residents, we need to ensure that it will be more resilient to extreme weather, and not an excessive financial burden to construct and maintain.Location: Beachfront Park is located at the south end of Liverpool Road and extends from the Frenchman&#39;s Bay <span style="color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;">harbour entrance on the west, over to Alex Roberson Park on the east. It is made up of a barrier beach that separates Lake Ontario from Frenchman&#39;s Bay and the Hydro Marsh.Why is this study being completed for this area?<img src="https://s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/ehq-production-canada/eba919182d075187876f70760c7506891797e0a6/original/1621622704/a08a780ff600ce142ba2ee1e6dc3792d_damaged_boardwalk_1.jpg?1621622704" style="width: 232px;" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-fir"><ul><li>Damage - the park sustained significant damage from the high-water levels and increased frequency of intense storm events in 2017 and 2019. The boardwalk, which formed part of the Waterfront Trail, was damaged beyond repair and was removed by City staff in the spring of 2020.</li><li>Anticipated increase in visitors - the City is anticipating significant population growth through downtown intensification and the development of the Seaton area over the next 20 years. The City Centre is expected to triple in growth with modest, yet steady growth in both Liverpool and Bay Ridges neighbourhoods.</li></ul><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">What work has been done to this point?The City retained The MBTW Group in late 2019 to complete the first phase in the Beachfront Park Rehabilitation &amp; Needs Assessment Study. The MBTW team included Shoreplan Engineering Inc. to provide an updated wave uprush analysis, coastal engineering expertise in the interpretation of the impacts of the Toronto Region Conservation Authority&rsquo;s (TRCA) regulations and to provide input into the development of feasible design options. This assignment was initiated to determine the path forward for park repairs and rehabilitation. Several design options have been prepared in consultation with City and TRCA staff. The proposed design options prepared for restoration and rehabilitation of Beachfront Park address the environmental conditions, existing and possible future park programming and servicing expectations and consider inclusive and barrier-free design principles.<strong style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">What are the project timelines?Public review of the two initial design options and subsequent final design option will take place during the summer months. The results and comments received from the two surveys will be summarized and one final preferred option will be prepared based on the feedback received. The project timeline has been designed to achieve a Council-endorsed design option in late 2021. Subject to future Capital Budget approvals and the availability of funding, the goal is to initiate the Detailed Design Process in 2022, with construction starting as early as 2023. Construction could take approximately 12 months, depending on the characteristics of the preferred design option, or be phased over multiple years.Waterfront <span style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">The City of Pickering continues with the long-term planning and vision for the entire length of its waterfront - <a href="https://letstalkpickering.ca/waterfront" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">learn more and get involved!</a>

Beachfront Park Revitalization 

The City is currently undergoing a review of its Official Plan, known as &lsquo;Pickering Forward&rsquo;. This critical long-range document provides the framework for land use decision-making, ensuring growth occurs responsibly.The Official Plan addresses important topics, such as:<ul><li>Where new housing, industry, and shops will be located</li><li>What services will be needed (such as roads and parks)</li><li>How to preserve and enhance the natural environment</li><li>When, and in what order, the community will grow</li></ul>Complete the surveyHelp shape the future of Pickering by completing the survey below! All feedback will help inform the major topics in the Official Plan. Deadline to complete the survey is October 4, 2024.Contact us to stay informed of upcoming reports and events &ndash; <a href="mailto:PickeringForward@pickering.ca">PickeringForward@pickering.ca</a>

Pickering Forward

Complete the survey for your chance to win!The City of Pickering is developing a new Asset Management Plan and we want to hear from you! <a href="https://letstalkpickering.ca/embeds/projects/45349/survey-tools/49956" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Complete the survey here</a> for your chance to win a $250 gift card for The Shops at Pickering City Centre.<hr>What you need to know about Asset Management:The City of Pickering is committed to providing high-quality services and maintaining infrastructure that supports our community. That&#39;s why we&#39;re developing a framework to measure, monitor, and evaluate the municipal services being provided to you (along with the nature and quality of those services).Asset management is an essential process for ensuring that the City of Pickering can effectively manage and maintain its infrastructure to provide quality services to the community. This process involves planning for the entire lifecycle of infrastructure assets such as roads, bridges, stormwater systems, and public facilities to ensure they deliver their intended services at the lowest long-term cost.<img src="https://s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/ehq-production-canada/ee1e4ecdf7515bcd58e29d6c1655124457ca7b08/original/1726663629/e1f2a686c77bd29e681fb9ba03e27040_Internal_Banners.png?1726663629" style="width: 800px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-fil">Managing assets involves more than just construction or acquisition; it also includes ongoing operations, maintenance, and replacement, which typically account for 80-90% of an asset&rsquo;s total cost. By carefully planning for these activities, the City can ensure that infrastructure investments are sustainable, resilient, and meet the needs of the community now, and into the future.Asset management is about delivering services in the most cost-effective manner, while balancing the risks of asset failure and optimizing the value received from the City&rsquo;s infrastructure investments. It ensures that resources are allocated efficiently, infrastructure is maintained at appropriate levels, and future needs are anticipated and met.<hr>What are Levels of Service?Levels of Service (LOS) refer to the standard at which public services, delivered through the City&rsquo;s infrastructure, are provided to residents. LOS define how well services like road quality, stormwater management, and public facility accessibility are performing, and the expectations that residents can have regarding the reliability, safety, and availability of these services.Managing LOS requires the City to carefully balance three key factors:<ul type="disc"><li>Cost: The financial investment needed to maintain or improve a particular service.</li><li>Performance: How well the service meets community and technical standards.</li><li>Risk: The potential consequences if a service fails or deteriorates, such as increased accidents or reduced safety.</li></ul>For instance, increasing the quality of roads (e.g., smoothing surfaces or reducing potholes) enhances the level of service, but requires additional funding. On the other hand, reducing road maintenance can save money, but may increase risks like unsafe driving conditions. Understanding and managing these trade-offs is crucial to aligning the services provided with the community&rsquo;s needs and the City&rsquo;s financial capacity.Pickering uses both Community Levels of Service, which are plain-language descriptions of what residents experience, and Technical Levels of Service, which are quantitative metrics like the percentage of roads in good condition or the rate of service interruptions. These measures ensure that services are maintained to the standards the community expects.<hr>Have Your Say - Community Levels of Service Survey:Complete the survey down below or by <a href="https://letstalkpickering.ca/embeds/projects/45349/survey-tools/49956" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">clicking here</a>.Community engagement plays a vital role in determining and managing levels of service for municipal infrastructure. The City recognizes that residents are best positioned to provide insights into what services are most important to them, where improvements are needed, and what they are willing to invest in terms of infrastructure upgrades.Engaging the community allows the City to align its infrastructure investments with your priorities, helping to decide where to focus resources&mdash;whether it&#39;s improving road safety, enhancing stormwater systems, or expanding recreational facilities.Help the City understand how you balance the desire for improved services with their willingness to pay for those improvements. Through surveys, public consultations, and other forms of engagement, you can influence critical decisions about infrastructure investments and service delivery that impact the community&rsquo;s quality of life..

Levels of Service - Asset Management

Budget decisions can have a profound impact on our daily lives. This is why engaging with the community is an important part of this process!Get involvedReview the <a class="local" href="https://letstalkpickering.ca/33606/widgets/191451/documents/139837" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Draft 2025 User Fees</a> and provide your thoughts with us below (or <a class="local" href="https://letstalkpickering.ca/budget/surveys/draft-2025-user-fees-comments" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">click here</a>).<hr>Pickering Budget - what you need to knowPickering is a thriving city thanks to the residents and businesses who choose to live, work, and invest here.Each year, the City plans its budget priorities to ensure a high quality of life, as it relates to the municipal service, program, and infrastructure needs of the community.The City invites you to follow the 2025 Budget process this fall - stay tuned for opportunities to participate!<hr>Budget PressuresPickering, like the rest of the Province, continues to face financial realities like inflation, high interest rates, labour shortages, and legislative changes that are further impacting municipal capacity to deliver services and invest in infrastructure.<hr>Where do your tax dollars go?<img src="https://s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/ehq-production-canada/617b43aa177f527719595b1cdfdf34e2105d87a4/original/1717162516/55359fcfda54fce36c8d8fc4aeda2134_Tax_Dollar_Graphic.png?1717162516" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><ul class="decimal_type"><li>12.50% of your tax dollars goes to the Boards of Education</li><li>56.78% of your tax dollars goes to the Region of Durham</li><li>30.72% of your tax dollars goes to the City of Pickering</li></ul>Property tax dollars fund various programs and services, including:1. City: Fire, recreation programs, municipal law enforcement, city planning, animal services, libraries, road maintenance, parks, streetlights, storm sewers and more.2. Education: The education tax rate is established by the Province. The local school boards are responsible for determining how school taxes are spent.3. Region: Police, maintenance of major roads, transit, waste management, social services, childcare, public health and ambulance, and more.<hr>Exploring Funding SourcesWhile property taxes are the City of Pickering&#39;s main source of revenue, the City seeks out other funding opportunities to help relieve the residential tax load. This includes:1. Actively seeking and applying for eligible funding and grant programs from both the Federal and Provincial governments.2. Naming rights partnerships.3. The City&rsquo;s Municipal Contribution Agreement with Ontario Lottery Gaming Corporation, in which it receives revenues for hosting the Pickering Casino Resort.Since Pickering Casino Resort opened in July 2021, OLG has issued non-tax gaming revenue payments, totaling $42,429,023, to the City of Pickering for hosting the facility, as part of its Municipal Contribution Agreement with Ontario Lottery Gaming Corporation (OLG). Pickering also <a href="https://www.pickering.ca/Modules/News/index.aspx?feedId=5dc74cc8-c7b5-43f1-904c-ab24fc21ae17,ef5adafb-d620-422b-bd9d-b646d8b38d4c&newsId=2da05218-4ce0-4d18-ba0a-249a0bad78f1" target="_blank">shares a portion of this revenue with the Region of Durham(External link)</a>.Casino revenues have been used and/or are planned to be used for both Current and Capital Budget items like:<ul type="disc"><li>Funding for community groups as part of the City&rsquo;s Community Grants Program</li><li>City Centre project-related planning activities and design costs</li><li>Gravel lot parking upgrades (behind Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex)</li><li>Bay Ridges Kinsmen Park soccer turf replacement and Beverly Morgan Park track replacement</li><li>Various fire station hall upfits</li><li>Snow clearing program for seniors and persons with disabilities</li><li>Accessible pedestrian signals</li><li>Pickering Heritage &amp; Community Centre</li><li>Beachfront Park Master Plan</li><li>Tennis court flooring replacement at Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex</li><li>Community Park rehabilitation and enhancements</li><li>Make-up the development charge shortfall from Bill 23</li></ul>Please view page 6 of the <a href="https://corporate.pickering.ca/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=253316&dbid=1&repo=PICKERING&cr=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mayor&rsquo;s 2024 Capital Budget and Forecast(External link)</a> for a list of new assets and asset renewal projects funded by casino dollars.<hr>How does the budget work?Every year, City of Pickering approves the Current (also known as the Operating) and Capital Budgets. The Current and Capital Budgets outline how the City will use its revenues to deliver services to residents. The Current Budget focuses on day-to-day expenses, while the Capital Budget covers major infrastructure and equipment requirements.Property taxes are the City of Pickering&#39;s main source of revenue, and the 2025 Budget will determine what the property tax levy will be in 2025. The property tax levy is the amount of money that the City requires to provide services such as snow clearing, road repair, emergency services, parks maintenance, and libraries, to name a few.Watch a short video on how <a href="https://mfoa-assets.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/Policy/20221004_HowBudgetWorks.mp4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">municipalities build their budget</a>:<a href="https://mfoa-assets.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/Policy/20221004_HowBudgetWorks.mp4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><img src="https://s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/ehq-production-canada/73fbde937cf213458ef4368a440cd35ac5f9df02/original/1675433090/1d0608b76fe36825c3d8894913057e4b_budget_video_1.png?1675433090" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-fil"></a> Capital BudgetThe Capital Budget is used for long-term investments, like infrastructure and facilities, that are paid off over time. This includes projects related to roads, bridges and sidewalks, vehicles and equipment, streetlights, playgrounds, and trails. It includes new infrastructure projects as well as the maintenance and rehabilitation of existing infrastructure.Take a look back at 2023&#39;s key infrastructure projects:<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Dszw9TJ7fWM?&wmode=opaque&rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> Take a look back at 2022&rsquo;s key infrastructure projects:<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/assoFgBoq6g?&wmode=opaque&rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> <a href="https://mfoa-assets.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/Policy/20221004_HowBudgetWorks.mp4"></a>Current BudgetThe Current Budget, also known as an Operating Budget, covers the day-to-day expenses required to deliver services to residents. These costs can return year-after-year and include services such as roads, parks, and sport field maintenance, staffing and utilities for City facilities like libraries and community centres, and fire services.Most of the funds for the Current Budget are raised through property taxes and the remainder comes from a variety of sources like user and permit fees and licences. This budget is prepared by each municipal department and reflects that area of responsibility.<hr>User FeesUser fees are collected by municipalities to fund programs and services that provide direct benefits to an individual, group, or business, rather than the community as a whole.This means, those enjoying the service, pay for a portion of the service. Some of the services a user would pay for include:<ul><li>Building Permits</li><li>Planning &amp; Development Applications</li><li>Pet Licensing</li><li>Use of Recreation Facilities</li></ul>When setting user fees, the City reviews what services benefit the community as a whole; what services benefit a combination of individuals and community; and what services benefit only a specific individual/small group of individuals. The City then uses property taxes to pay for services that benefit the entire community, and charges user fees to help recover the costs for services that mainly benefit an individual.<hr>Strong Mayor Powers The Mayor has special powers and duties under Part VI.1 of the <a href="https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/01m25#BK376" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Municipal Act, 2001 S.O. 2001, c. 25</a> and in accordance with <a href="https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/r22530" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">O. Reg. 530/22</a> and <a href="https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/r22580" target="_blank" title="open in new window https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/r22580">O. Reg. 580/22</a>. Part of these special powers includes the ability to prepare and propose the City&rsquo;s budget, subject to possible Council amendments, and the Mayor&rsquo;s ability to veto such amendments, which are subject to an override process that may be accomplished by two-thirds of the Council. As such, Mayor Ashe has provided Direction to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and the Director, Finance &amp; Treasurer pertaining to the 2024 City of Pickering Budget. View Direction <a href="https://corporate.pickering.ca/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=252086&dbid=1&repo=PICKERING" target="_blank" title="Open new window to view 01-2023">01-2023</a>.Legislative framework governing the Mayor&rsquo;s special powers and duties under Part VI.1 of the <a href="https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/01m25#BK376" target="_blank" title="open in new window https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/01m25#BK376">Municipal Act, 2001 S.O. 2001, c. 25</a>Under O. Reg. 530/22, the Mayor is required to propose the budget by February 1st. After the Mayor proposes the budget, Council can pass resolutions to amend the budget within 30 days. The Mayor may veto a Council budget resolution within 10 days after the expiry of the amendment time frame. Council may then attempt to override a mayoral veto with a two-thirds majority vote, within 15 days after the expiry of the Mayor&rsquo;s veto time frame (under the legislation these time frames may be shortened). At the end of this process, the resulting budget is &ldquo;deemed&rdquo; to be adopted by the municipality.<a href="https://www.pickering.ca/en/city-hall/mayoral-decisions-pursuant-to-the-municipal-act-2001.aspx" target="_blank"> Learn more</a>.See <a href="https://corporate.pickering.ca/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=254370&dbid=1&repo=PICKERING&cr=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Schedule A (page 40) of the Procedure By-law</a> for excerpts from the Municipal Act (the &ldquo;Act&rdquo;), pertaining to the exercise of the Special Powers and duties provided to the Mayor as the Head of Council for the City of Pickering. The provisions that follow are provided to inform Council and the public on the process to be carried out when the Special Powers are utilized. These Special Powers, commonly referred to as &ldquo;Strong Mayor Powers&rdquo;, are exercised under provincial legislation and take precedence over the normal rules of procedure outlined in this By-law, where applicable.<hr>What were the 2024 Budget Highlights? In 2024, the City&#39;s portion of the residential property tax bill increased by 1.25 percent.This equates to $88.42 on the average assessed home in Pickering of $612,000.This increase, when combined with the Region of Durham and School Board increases, resulted in an average increase of 5.42 percent on the total property tax bill (based on the Durham Region approved budget guideline of a 7.5% levy increase).<ul><li>The 2024 Current Budget is $87,429,155</li><li>The 2024 Capital Budget is $108,596,900</li></ul><hr><h2>Educational Videos</h2>Take a look through our videos below to get a better understanding of each topic.<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgGbLotF_QQ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Municipal Property Assessment Corporation</a> (MPAC) 101 - learn more about how your property tax is calculated.<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgGbLotF_QQ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><img src="https://s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/ehq-production-canada/003cc7e6cf8a832f86cfeb6ec9d90b75cb80e577/original/1675433665/92aaa3c2943319aa97c7a4460eb3e9cf_mpac.png?1675433665" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-fil"></a><hr>Quick Links<ul><li>View the <a aria-label="Mayor's Proposed Capital Budget & 2025-2033 Forecast opens in new window" href="https://corporate.pickering.ca/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=253316&dbid=1&repo=PICKERING" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Open new window to view Mayor's Proposed Capital Budget & 2025-2033 Forecast">Mayor&#39;s Final 2024 Capital Budget &amp; 2025-2033 Forecast</a></li><li>Visit <a href="https://www.pickering.ca/en/city-hall/budgets.aspx" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">pickering.ca/Budget</a> to view past Current and Capital Budgets</li></ul><hr>Get involvedReview the <a href="https://letstalkpickering.ca/33606/widgets/191451/documents/139837" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Draft 2025 User Fees</a> and provide your thoughts with us below (or <a href="https://letstalkpickering.ca/budget/surveys/draft-2025-user-fees-comments" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">click here</a>).Share your 2025 Budget Priorities with us below!

Pickering’s 2025 Budget

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