This week’s Council meeting on October 27: Key Takeaways

This week’s Council meeting on October 27 was an important one, and I wanted to share a quick update with all of you here in Ward 6. Whether you live in Armitage Village, Shining Hill, Summerhill North or Summerhill South, the conversations we had at Council directly shape the services, programs and long-term planning that support your neighbourhoods every day.

We spent a lot of time on the 2026 budget. This is always a balancing act, making sure we keep taxes as reasonable as possible while still protecting the things our communities rely on, like reliable water and wastewater systems, safe roads, parks, trails, recreation programs and the larger long-term investments that keep Newmarket strong. This includes one of Council’s key long-term goals, which is to maintain property taxes below the GTA average. It’s a clear commitment to providing strong services and amenities while delivering the best possible value to residents.

This week we reviewed the preliminary capital budget and the rate-supported operating budgets, which cover areas like water, wastewater, stormwater, planning and building services. These services are funded through their own user fees, not through property taxes.

The capital budget is where the Town plans for the big pieces: infrastructure, equipment, buildings and long-term projects. It was exciting to see how close we are to completing some major initiatives residents have been looking forward to, including the new pickleball facility and the continued transformation of Mulock Park. These are the kinds of investments that add lasting value to our community and will be enjoyed by families across Ward 6 for many years.

In the coming weeks, we’ll be heading into more detailed budget conversations. If you want to follow along or provide feedback, the next meetings are November 10, December 1 and December 8. Your voice really does matter, and I always welcome hearing what is most important to you in our Ward 6 neighbourhoods.

Another meaningful part of this Council meeting was a workshop with the Shorefast Institute. Shorefast is known for helping communities identify and build on their strengths, rather than focusing on what they don’t have. Their work on Fogo Island in Newfoundland is a well-known example of how a community can grow by grounding economic development in its own people, history, culture and natural assets.

Council took part in an exercise that encouraged us to look at what makes Newmarket special in the same way. Whether it’s the strong sense of community in Armitage Village, the natural beauty around Shining Hill, the family-friendly streets of Summerhill North or the active neighbourhood spirit in Summerhill South, Ward 6 has so many assets that can shape our economic and cultural future in positive ways.

Shorefast will continue working with the Town, local businesses and residents to explore these opportunities further. I’m really looking forward to seeing where this leads and how it can support the long-term strength and identity of our Ward 6 communities.

As always, if you have questions, ideas or concerns, please reach out. The conversations I have with residents at your door, by email or at local events always help guide the questions I bring forward at Council. I’m here to listen, and I’m here to represent you.

Warm regards,
Kelly Broome
Councillor, Ward 6
Town of Newmarket
kellybroome.ca