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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, Ju ly 18 ,2 01 9 | 14 By Cory Soal R.H.A.D. . . . Lend MeYour Ears Exposure to cigarette smoke may hasten hearing loss as you grow older. Monitoring more than 3,500 people between the ages 48 and 92 for 3 years, University of Wisconsin Medical School researchers found that smokers were almost twice as likely as non-smokers to have trouble hearing. Some scientists think cigarette smoke has a toxic effect on inner-ear cells, while others believe it may constrict blood flow to the inner ear. For more information on preserving your hearing please call… TWO MORE REASONS TO QUIT! We care about your hearing! Professional Arts Building 99 Sinclair Ave., Suite 210, Georgetown 905-873-6642 Serving the community of Halton Hills and surrounding areas since 1992 The Georgetown expert advice? breaking news? today's top stories? where you live? crime? events? what to read? cooking? SIGN UPNOW We've got a newsletter for that. Care about /newsletters Local residents can expect to see a modest tax increase on the Halton portion of their bill next year. During its July 10 meeting, re- gional council approved the 2020 budget directions, setting the stage for staff to prepare the tax- supported budget with an in- crease at or below the rate of in- flation (or two per cent). This would equate to an extra $6 per $100,000 of the assessed value of one's home - $4 for regional ser- vices and $2 for police services. Halton also oversees water and sewer infrastructure and services throughout the region. On this front, local residents can expect to see a 3.9 per cent in- crease in their utility bill next year, or an additional $39 based on a typical household consump- tion of 250 cubic metres of water per year. Halton finance commis- sioner and Regional Treasurer Mark Scinocca told council that the 2020 budget year will be "very challenging" due to changes in provincial funding for programs such as public health and para- medic services. "The provincial announce- ments are our biggest challeng- es," he said. "Although it (region- al budget numbers) all seem to fit in this time of uncertainty, I can tell you under the hood, there's a lot of moving parts." Halton Hills Coun. Jane Fogal asked if the provincial budget cutbacks on things like health and children's services will re- sult in regional service cuts or job losses. "We get feedback from the public that they love our pro- grams and they're not going to want to lose them, and we don't want to see that happen either," she said. Commissioner of social and community services Alex Sar- chuk said the provincial funding changes could result in an in- creased wait time for families seeking child care fee subsidies. "We continue to look at our staffing model and seek efficien- cies on a regular basis," he added. "We intend to be able to continue to provide the excellent pro- grams and children's services on a going-forward basis." Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward asked when the prov- ince intends to solidify plans that will impact the regional budget. Scinocca said due to the im- pending federal election, the re- gion likely won't know the prov- ince's full intentions until late fall. "As new information becomes available, we may have to go back and re-look at this budget," he said. Council approved having regional chair Gary Carr write a letter to the province requesting direction on funding for public health and paramedic services. The 2020 budget and business plan will go back before council- lors on Dec. 4 for budget delibera- tions, followed by approval at re- gional council on Dec. 11. For more information visit halton.ca. COUNCIL HALTON TAXES TO RISE 2% NEXT YEAR MELANIE HENNESSEY mhennessey@metroland.com Provincial budget cutbacks will be a challenge in preparing Halton's 2020 budget, says regional staff. Torstar file photo