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WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1984, PAGE 3 Last week the Whitby Free Press was pleased to host Mrs. Brasier's grade 3 class from Dr. Robert, Thornton Public School. This lively bunch spent the morning getting a solid introduction to the operation of a community newspaper from a couple of our more than willing and enthusiastic staff members. It, is aur fervent hope that they walked away with a good impression and an everlasting respect for newspapers. Lo.w tax .hike-won't mean decrease In m1unic 0f the $12 million that the Town of Whitby -will spend this year, $7.3 million will corne from the property taxpayer. Fortunately, these figures only represent a 1.9 per cent increase to those taxpayers living in the urban areas. For those living in the rural areas and Braoklin, the increase is even lower at 1.7 per cent. In dollar terms, the urban taxpayer* will have ta, pay $750 more in 1984 while the rural property owner wWl pay an average of $6 mare. Figures supplied by the tawn's treasury department state that the average Whitby home is assessed at $5,000. In the urban area the mil rate of 77.8 will translate into taxes of $389. In the rural area the 70.0 mil rate will produce taxes amoun- tmng ta $350 this year. However, -before anyone starts letting out cries of joy it should be pointed out that Durham Regional Council and the two boards of education will nat strike their budgets for at least another two manths. The treasury depar- tment has pointed out that the region takes 17 per cent of the property tax bill while the boards of education scoop up 50 cents of every property tax dollar. The taxpayers aren't the anly ones feeding the tawn's coffers. The treasury hopes ta raise $1.25 -million in fines and fees for permits and licences, investmnent in- carne and the sale of assets. Over $530,000 will be- raised i the form of grants in lieu of taxes from the senior levels of government 'and wil caver such properties as the post ýoffice a ^nd the Whitby F Hospital. Aise in this amounI from Bell Ca covers its o and , uni telephone.lime The remaining s revenue is $1, in program These are provided by 1 levels of gaver .specific purpx includes $585, the Ontario M Transportatioi Communicatic local road an improvements Where the Money gées 0f the mone wil spend t' $10.7 million devoted ta itc budget - that is to-day operatii tawn. This fig slightly from li 19.88 million. The biggest the pie gaes toit works departi ail it "wil rece million this plough our r( and re-asphaît needed, pick- garbage, rep build culveri sewers, drivec services ?sychiatric and perform a- host of o included other tasks too t is a grant numerous to mention inada that here. )verground The, public works iderground budget has notgreatly s.increased over last Town's year's $4.12 million, but ource of it is interesting to note .42 million that when the final grants. count is done the monies treasury expects that the senior the departmentwill only rnment for have spent $4.06 million. oses. This The second largest pie ,000 from of the pie - $2.37 million - [inistry of will be spent on protec- n and tion to persons and Dns for properties.. In the main id related this applies to the Whit- 5. by Fire Department which will be given an operating budget' af $1.87 million in 1984 Last year the depar- tment was allocated $1.7 By council million, butspent $1.74 luis year million. will be Protection to persons s current and properties'also in- ;, the day-- cludes bylaw enfor- [on 'of the cernent, building, and ure is uP plumbing inspections ast year's and maintaining the pic ftown's communication tpbie centre. ment pbIc The recreation depar- ient.39n tment will spend $1.97 yiea to~ million in 1984 up almost yar to $200,000 from their '83 thads aîîotment, but oniy te asabout $70,000 more than :-up Our what they actually air and ts and CONT'D ON PG. 8 >ur buses 4.