Durham police proposal could push region's property tax increase above 10% next year | CBC News

"Police in Durham Region are proposing a long-term funding plan that could push the region's total overall property tax increase above 10 per cent next year. If the plan is approved, estimates show total property taxes for Durham Region could rise between 9.02 per cent to 10.52 per cent in 2027. Taxpayers would see annual increases in property taxes until 2036 under the service's 10-year financing strategy, created in collaboration with the region's department of finance."

"The suggested increase for police funds over the next decade peaks at 4.62 per cent in 2027, which amounts to roughly $173 per year, the region's commissioner of finance, Nicole Pincombe, said at a special council meeting on Friday. The police portion of the annual property tax would then decrease each year after 2027, reaching 2.01 per cent in 2036."

"Police Chief Peter Moreira said the property tax increase will let the service hire enough members to support the region's needs and make overdue upgrades to aging and unsafe facilities. “Our needs were 10 years ago,” he said. But some councillors said they're concerned about how residents will manage the plan's costs."

"Coun. Sterling Lee told CBC News he's wrestling [with] how to justify the proposed increases. “If there's one thing I've heard across the board in Ajax, in Durham Region, it's that property taxes have become unsustainable,” Lee said. Plan will fund new headquarters in Oshawa The police proposal comes after the regional council passed a 4.8 per cent increase in property taxes in January for 2026 the majority of which went to DRPS."

Durham Region police are proposing a long-term funding plan that could increase the region’s total overall property tax by more than 10% next year. If approved, total property taxes are estimated to rise between 9.02% and 10.52% in 2027. Taxpayers would face annual increases through 2036 under a 10-year financing strategy developed with the region’s finance department. Police funding increases peak at 4.62% in 2027, about $173 per year, then decline to 2.01% by 2036. The plan would support hiring enough members and upgrading aging and unsafe facilities. Some councillors expressed concern about residents managing the costs.

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