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6 Friday, December 8, 2023 brooklintowncrier.com Whitby continued its 2024 budget planning process with the release of its 2024 budget outlook and target report. During a recent Council meeting, Town staff presented Council with a recommended budget target of 6.5 per cent budget increase or an estimated 2.3 per cent total residential tax bill increase for Town services. Whitby Town Council provided direction to staff to prepare the 2024 budget with a 5 per cent budget increase. This equates to a 1.8 per cent tax bill increase or an increase of approximately 29 cents per day, per household for the delivery of important services residents rely on every day, like waste collection, snow clearing, and parks maintenance. Note: The 29 cents per day (or $105 per year) is based on the 2023 average residential assessment value of $503,000 as determined by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation. Community feedback As a next step, staff will refine service levels, programs, and investments in the proposed 2024 Budget in order to present a budget that meets the budget target goal by January 2024. Proposed investments will consider community feedback collected through both the Community Strategic Plan engagement and the Town's Citizen Budget Tool - a budget simulator that encouraged residents to share their budget priorities and create their own ideal budget. Collectively, the engagements saw more than 20,000 people engaged, with priorities focused on Whitby's downtowns, green spaces, and indoor and outdoor facilities, including recreational spaces. New to the Town's budget engagement, the 2024 Citizen Budget Tool incorporated a participatory budget question, which asked residents to select one of five possible priorities that they would dedicate $100,000 towards. Family physician recruitment, economic development and job creation, and traffic calming were selected as the top priorities. As a result, a $100,000 investment in Family Physician Recruitment was included in the budget target recommended by staff. Next steps in the 2024 Budget planning process are: • January 22: Release of Proposed 2024 Budget online at ConnectWhitby.ca/Budget • January 22 to February 7: Virtual 2024 Budget Forum at ConnectWhitby.ca/Budget for community input on proposed 2024 Budget • January 29: 2024 Budget outlook update and Council education session • February 5: Public Meeting for community input on Proposed 2024 Budget • February 15: Special Council Meeting for final approval of the Town's 2024 Budget To learn more about participating in the process and speaking at Council meetings, visit whitby. ca/delegation. For comments or questions about the budget, contact the Financial Services Department at budget@whitby.ca or by phone at 905.444.9554. Learn more about the budget process and results of this year's Citizen Budget Tool online at ConnectWhitby.ca/Budget. Whitby Releases Budget Outlook and Target Report Residents are invited to have their say on the Region's Business Plans and Budget, gain an increased understanding of the Region's programs and services and share input on key priority areas at the 2024 Budget Town Hall. Residents are encouraged to visit yourvoice.durham.ca/DurhamBudget to provide input and submit questions ahead of the event. When: Thursday, January 11 at 6:30 p.m. Where: The Town Hall will be livestreamed at durham.ca/Live and yourvoice.durham.ca/ DurhamBudget. Residents who would like to listen in to the live event or ask questions via phone can pre-register for the event by emailing budgets@durham.ca with their name and phone number. Why: As one of the fastest growing municipalities in North America, Durham Region's annual budget provides for investments in our community ensuring that Durham is the best place in Ontario to work and live. Note: Have your say! Share your input and submit questions ahead of the Town Hall at yourvoice.durham.ca/DurhamBudget. Region Seeks Durham Budget Input The Regional Municipality of Durham has substantially completed the Lake Ridge Road rehabilitation project, and the final completion date is expected by the end of this year, followed by a two-year warranty period. The project improves the overall operational safety of the roadway for users and was partially funded by the Canada Community-Building Fund. The reconstruction of the road included: • Road resurfacing and partial paved shoulders. • Addition of northbound right-turn lanes at Townline Road and Chalk Lake Road. • Addition of a left-turn lane approaching Chalk Lake Road from the south. • Road grade adjustments. • Entrance modifications to meet the reconstructed road. • Culvert replacements. • Ditch drainage improvements. • Installation of a guide rail. • Utility relocations where required. The boundaries for the reconstruction of Lake Ridge Road are from Myrtle Road to 1.6 kilometres north of Chalk Lake Road. The project is being completed in collaboration with the Town of Whitby, City of Pickering, Township of Scugog and Township of Uxbridge and received funding from the Canada Community-Building Fund. For more information, visit durham.ca/LakeRidgeRoad. Lake Ridge Road Construction Improving Safety