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3| The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,D ecem ber 21,2017 theifp.ca Town staff met its capped limit of a 3.9 per cent increase on the levy set by council in August. "It's been a tough budget year," said Mayor Rick Bonnette in a re- lease. "But I have to give kudos to our CAO and the rest of our incred- ible staff who presented a budget that balances needs with service de- mands. I think it is important to note that the town has held its in- crease to 3.9 per cent for three con- secutive years, and coupled with Halton Region and the school board, the overall increase is just 2.4 (per cent)." The annual tax levy is broken down into three parts; the town por- tion, the regional government's por- tion, with the balance going to local school boards. The regional portion of the levy will increase by two per cent, while the school board contribution will remain the same as in 2017. A por- tion of the town's increase (0.6 per cent) is dedicated to the fire services levy. As indicated by the mayor, that breaks down to a net 2.4 per cent tax levy increase over 2017. "The town has been successful in keeping its own tax levy to a modest 3.9 per cent since 2016. In previous years, the rate fluctuated from 4.9 per cent to a high of 7.3 per cent in 2011," said town reps in a release sent Dec. 12. The budget includes $9.7 million earmarked for new capital projects. Among the major projects being funded this year are a number of road, intersection and infrastruc- ture projects, new equipment for town staff, updated software and materials for the library and a new skate park in Georgetown at Gellert Park. "The 2018 operating budget ad- dressed a number of council initia- tives including enhanced customer service and communications, the public art program, the cultural master plan, the fire master plan, the corporate energy plan, tax relief for eligible seniors and the continu- ance of operations at the Off the Wall and Open Door Youth Cen- tres," added the town's release. NEWS l Continued from page 1 Budget includes a new skate park in Gellert Park The Town of Halton Hills has released its full 2018 budget to the public including a 2.4 per cent tax levy increase over 2017. Town of Halton Hills image The Kraft Heinz Com- pany is coming to town. Mayor Rick Bonnette announced the company's expansion to Halton Hills during his address at the annual Chamber of Com- merce Mayor's Luncheon Tuesday, Dec. 12. "I am pleased to an- nounce that the largest building in Halton Hills has been leased by Qua- dReal Property Group to Kraft Heinz Canada Cor- poration," said the mayor in his speech. The 775,000-square-foot building is located at Steeles Avenue and 5th Line and will house a mas- sive state-of-the-art distri- bution centre. While not providing ex- act details or dates on when the new facility is set to begin operations, the mayor said the move will create 150 jobs in Halton Hills once fully operation- al. H.J. Heinz Co. and Kraft Foods Group merged in 2015 to create the Heinz Kraft Company, which is the third-largest food and beverage company in North America. The combined company is also the fifth-largest food and beverage compa- ny in the world. "As one of the largest food and beverage compa- nies in the world, with over $26 billion in sales, Kraft is a welcome addition to our corporate family," added mayor Bonnette. Kraft Heinz Company bringing 150 jobs to Halton Hills GRAEME FRISQUE gfrisque@metroland.com Please keep our community clean! Like us on Facebook Like us on Facebook 82 Main St. N. Georgetown 905-873-6127 82 Main St. N. Georgetown Bratin Auto Honest, Reliable Service Since 1989 Free Local Shuttle Service www.bratinauto.com From All of us at Bratin Auto Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!