Respect Every Dollar

Every budget dollar came from residents' paycheques.

Jay's pledge

A public budget dashboard in year one

I pledge to bring a public tax and budget transparency dashboard forward within my first year in office, and to report progress on growing Ajax's commercial tax base publicly at every single budget cycle, without exception.

Jay Hayles

What it covers

Property taxes and the annual budget process
Transparency and accountability for how tax dollars are spent
Commercial and industrial tax base growth
Water, sewer, and utility cost pressure
Development approvals and responsibility
Affordable and attainable housing supply

Policies

Live Budget & Tax Transparency Dashboard

See what was promised, what was budgeted and where it stands, in one place.

Funding: Existing IT budget and Town data

See the details

One online place for key budget figures, major projects and Council commitments: cost, timeline and status.

Why it works: Residents see for themselves, staff work from one source, and Council spots cost overruns early.
The concern: Cost and upkeep. A light layer on data the Town already collects.

Residents

A clear view of where tax dollars go.
Services

Draws on existing systems.
Business

A predictable picture of Town finances for investors.

For you

One place to check, any time.

Next level

Extend it Town-wide, one standard for every ward and department.

Full policy wording →

Commercial & Industrial Tax Base Growth Target

A public four-year target to grow the business share of Ajax's tax base.

Funding: Redirected Economic Development budget

See the details

Council adopts a four-year target to grow the business share of the tax base, reported every budget.

Why it works: Each budget shows how business growth is easing pressure on homeowners.
The concern: Business growth takes years. Paired with the Business Growth & Retention Table in Grow Ajax.

Residents

A strategy to ease long-term pressure on homeowners.
Services

A broader revenue base keeps services steady.
Business

A public signal that Ajax is competing for investment.

For you

As the business base grows, the load on your household eases.

Full policy wording →

Growth-Pays-For-Growth: Development Cost & Traffic Impact Scoreboard

A public scorecard of every major development's cost and traffic impact.

Funding: Existing application fees and review process

See the details

Every major development publishes a score for its road, traffic, water, sewer and long-term cost impact.

Why it works: Residents see the impact in plain language before Council decides.
The concern: Slower approvals. Clear, upfront criteria in the existing review speed up well-planned projects.

Residents

Growth costs visible before they reach the tax bill.
Services

Infrastructure planning ahead of development.
Business

A clear, predictable rulebook for good projects.

For you

See the traffic and service impact before the decision is made.

Next level

Publish the scores as open data anyone can build on.

Full policy wording →

Every policy names how it would be paid for. Town staff set the exact cost, and Council approves every dollar before it is spent.

All four pillars Read the full plan Ask Jay about this