Rob Ford promised to freeze Toronto's property taxes next year, an announcement that came on his first day as mayor.

In a news conference on Wednesday, Ford said he would not increase taxes or cut services in 2011, promising property taxes would not go up.

He said Torontonians deserve the smaller, less-costly government he promised during his successful bid to become mayor.

"Toronto taxpayers expect the wasteful spending and the annual tax increases to come to an end. Toronto taxpayers do not want a larger budget and more spending," Ford said on Wednesday.

Per capita property taxes rose at 1.8 per cent per year between 2006 and 2009, which is about the pace of inflation.

The announcement came as Ford announced his administration's top four priorities.

Those priorities are:

• improving customer service at City Hall

• boosting government accountability

• reducing the size and cost of government

• building a transportation plan with an emphasis on subways

The city would work to a flat budget for 2011 with no major cuts to services, he said. He also said he would move to eliminate the city's $60 vehicle registration tax at the first council meeting.