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Aurora Town Council has adopted the Town’s multi-year operating budgets for 2025 and 2026, along with the 10-Year Capital Plan, reflecting a commitment to maintaining high-quality services while investing in key

infrastructure projects to support Aurora’s growth and sustainability.

The approved tax-levy increase for 2025 is 3.5 per cent and 2.9 per cent for 2026. For an average home assessed at $800,000, this translates to an annual increase of $87.52 in 2025 and $75.05 in 2026. These increases include a one per cent rise in capital reserve contributions, ensuring Aurora’s long-term financial strength and its ability to fund significant community projects.

“I believe this budget strikes a strong balance that highly respects residents’ tax dollars,” said Mayor Tom Mrakas, noting that the inflationary portion of the tax-levy increase for 2025 is below the Consumer Price Index. “This Budget gives us the ability to effectively manage our operating costs, which have gone up significantly over the last few years, while also allowing us to confidently move forward on important community-building projects that will help ensure Aurora continues to be one of the best places to live, work, and raise a family."

The approved budget maintains all existing service levels, including recreational programs, special events, snow clearing, and park and trail maintenance. It also provides continued support for key community partners, including Central York Fire Services, the Aurora Public Library, and the Aurora Cultural Centre.

Members of Aurora Town Council had the opportunity to propose amendments to the Mayor’s budget, which he first presented to Council on October 29. Two Council amendments were adopted during the budget process, with two others deferred pending an additional staff report.

“I want to sincerely thank councillors who took time to review this budget thoroughly and who met with staff and myself to discuss priorities that are important to their wards,” Mayor Mrakas added. “Their input has been crucial to this process, helping ensure this budget is working in the best interests of all Aurorans.”

Aurora is the first municipality in York Region to have their 2025 budget adopted, which will allow the municipality to get an early start on key capital projects.

Investing in Aurora’s Future

The approved 10-Year Capital Plan includes several transformative initiatives to enhance the Town’s infrastructure and services, including:

  • Modernization of Town facilities
  • Redevelopment of playgrounds and upgrades to tennis and pickleball courts
  • Enhancements to the Benjamin Pearson Park boardwalk
  • Implementation of online tax and water billing systems
  • Traffic Calming Study to improve road safety
  • Development of a Community Planning Permit By-law to streamline zoning and approvals for future growth
  • Significant investments in roads, stormwater ponds, sewers, and pumping stations to support climate resilience and maintain health and mobility across the town

Operating spending in 2025 amounts to a total of $125.9 million, which is supported by both property taxes and user rates (water, wastewater, and stormwater). The Town’s 10-Year Capital Plan (2025 to 2034) amounts to a total of $371.2 million, with $65.3 set aside in 2025.

About the Budget Process

Aurora follows a multi-year operating budget approval process because multi-year budgets are more strategic and, among other things, provide greater certainty for departments in managing costs and service levels, improves the fiscal discipline of the organization, and reduces uncertainty about future year tax levies.

Hearing from community members was an important part of the budget process. Residents, businesses and community groups had the opportunity to provide feedback through the Town’s online Budget Survey. This feedback helped the Mayor, staff and Council better understand how our community prioritizes and values Town services.