In Mayor’s Budget 2024 Aurora Part-Time Sport Tourism Programmer Salary Was Set at $68,300, Benefits Included

Under the new rules of strong mayor powers, it is strange that Mayor Mrakas presented a part-time Sport Tourism Programmer at a salary of $68,300.

Aurora Social Media Policy and Code of Conduct Updates – Motion by Cllr Gilliland | November 28, 2023

The statement made by Mayor Mrakas regarding copyright material is incredibly ignorant. However, I will refrain from further comment on the matter.

Budget 2024 Amendment: Outdoor Wi-Fi Implementation Removed From The Budget

Budget 2024 Amendment: Outdoor Free Wi-Fi implementation removed from the budget. Cost to taxpayer - $100,000 plus annual fees.

Aurora Town Square – Financial Status REPORT, General Committee meeting, November 21, 2023

On November 7, the General Committee meeting, the Council requested that staff compile a summary of the current financial status of the Aurora Town Square. Why is this project almost 2 years behind? The original aggressive completion date was scheduled for September 2022.

Do We Really Need Another Telecommunication Tower, 15820 Bayview Avenue, Aurora

That the installation by Northward Infrastructure Inc. of a 23.2 meter (76.1 feet) tall, concealed telecommunication tower at 15820 Bayview Avenue be supported.

Aurora Solicitor Confirms – Strong Mayor Powers, Not the Housing Pledge, It Was the Commitment Letter

The next agenda item discussed during the Aurora General Committee meeting on November 7 was the deliberations surrounding the Procedure By-Law. (Strong Mayor Powers)

Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas Never Considered Turning Down Strong Mayor Powers

Strong Mayor Powers, Aurora, Ontario, important that the public has this information so they really fully understand what the strong mayor powers actually do

Aurora Town Square and Guelph Central Library: Interesting Similarities

Last week, during the General Committee Meeting, Cllr Gilliland asked staff to prepare the $60M plus Aurora Town Square information report, which to include operational, staffing, capital, debt repayment, and celebration costs. The report should show the expenses incurred to date and the anticipated future expenses. Expect this report to be issued for the November 14th General Committee meeting.

General Committee October 17, 2023 – First Debate on Council Compensation

If approved, Mayor Tom Mrakas will see his municipal salary rise from $96,200 per year to the “60th percentile of market comparators” (estimated to come out to an increase of $9,000 to $12,000 more per year.)

Mayor John Taylor Asking Province to Come up with a More Realistic Plan

Half of Aurora Council backed Mayor Mrakas' pursuit of stronger mayor powers on Sep 5, 2023, despite his previous opposition to such powers in the 2022 municipal elections. Newmarket's Mayor Taylor, however, has openly contested these powers and critiqued the province's housing plan, adding to the towns' discordance over designated housing targets for 2031.