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HOME INTERIORS & HOT TUBS 265 GUELPH ST., GEORGETOWN 905-873-2753 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK THE LARGEST CLEARANCE EVER! For the new line of mattresses All kids furniture Dining room, sofas and other selected floor models MAKING ROOM PRICED TO MOVE ALL MUST GO FLOOR MODEL CLEARANCE NOW BOOKING 2008 DATES AT 2007 PRICES! Independent & Free Press, Wednesday, January 16, 2008 7 Each year, Halton Regional Council and staff go through a rigorous process to pre- pare the annual budget and business plan. This process is guided by the budget directions approved by council earlier in the year. The 2008 Budget and Business Plan, approved by council on December 19, 2007, will guide the Region in providing the pro- grams and services that make Halton such a great place to live, work, raise and family and retire. The 2008 Budget and Business Plan results in a property tax reduction of 0.6 per cent for Regional programs and services, and an increase of 5.3 per cent for police ser- vices, for a combined property tax increase of 1.3 per cent. For a typical household having a current value assessment (cva) of $300,000, the property tax impact is a reduction of $5.00 for Regional services and an increase of $21.54 for Police services, for a combined increase of $16.54 for a typical household. The 2008 Rate Supported Budget for water and wastewater services requires an increase of 6.5 per cent. The typical house- holds annual combined water and waste- water bill will increase by $43.98. The 2008 budget addresses infrastructure and service requirements outlined in the Fairness for Halton campaign and the priori- ties in Halton Regions 2007-2010 Strategic Plan. The Fairness for Halton campaign was established to address the fact that Halton Region cannot accommodate the growth tar- gets specified in the Provinces Places to Grow Plan without adequate financial tools and funding commitments from the Ontario government for municipal infrastructure and social service needs. The 2008 budget had three key themes: Investing in Infrastructure Requirements; Towards Sustainability and Committing to Safe and Healthy Communities. As part of its 2008 budget, Halton Region also announced the creat ion of a Sustainability Fund. This reserve will sup- port the Regions participation in strategic initiatives related to economic development and environmental protection, and those that will benefit the region as a whole. The 2008 budget a l locates funding through the Sustainability Fund to three projects, including the Limestone Legacy Plan for Halton Escarpment Parks, the Royal Botanical Gardens Rejuvenation Project, and Credit Valley Conservations renewal of the Terra Cotta Environmental Educat ion Centre. For more information about the Sustainability Fund or the 2008 budget, visit Halton Regions website at www.halton.ca or call 905-825-6000, toll free 1-866-442-5866 (1-866-4HALTON) or TTY 905-827-9833. Gary Carr is the chair of Halton Region Investing in Haltons sustainability Gary Carr This newspaper can be recycled. Please recycle.