The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Budget focuses on priorities, services On January 24, Halton Regional Council approved the 2007 budget and business plan. Through council's leadership and input from the community, we have prepared a financial plan that focuses on key priorities and commitments to service delivery, because we know many of Halton's residents rely on regional programs and services. The approved 2007 operating and capital budget resulted in a property tax increase of 0.9% (or $7.44 for a typical homeowner) for regional programs and services. The budget increase for Halton Regional Police Services is 5.9%. The combined property tax impact for regional and police services is 2.5% (or $29.76 for a typical homeowner). The budget also includes a 4.0% (or $26.17 for a typical homeowner) rate increase for water and sewer utilities. The major initiatives driving the 2007 budget focus on both the physical and social infrastructure of our community, including the following: · Provide affordable and accessible housing-- $2.7 million in capital expenditures to implement the first phase of the Region's Comprehensive Housing Strategy, to create 120 units of assisted rental housing. · Manage Halton's growth-- $2 million in capital costs to develop Halton's Response to the Places to Grow Plan (Durable Halton), which will result in a long-term planning vision for Halton. · Improve quality of regional roads-- by increasing road repair and resurfacing expenditures by an additional $1.7 million in one-time funding. · Improve community access-- $776,540 in gross expenditures to implement 211 and 311 telephone service. Gary Carr · Support vulnerable citizens-- an additional $400,000 to improve the quality of life for residents of Halton's domiciliary hostels, for those affected by mental health illnesses and requiring ongoing care. GTA pooling was a major consideration during budget deliberations. The Province requires Halton to provide funding to help offset costs for the City of Toronto, for providing social assistance and social housing to their residents. This GTA pooling transfer payment, mandated by the Province in 1998, was intended to be temporary. For Halton residents, GTA pooling is the second largest program in the regional tax budget after the Halton Regional Police Service. On January 24, regional council voted to freeze 2007 GTA pooling payments at the 2006 actual funding level of approximately $41.2 million. This will help send a strong message to the Province to address the pooling issue and find an equitable solution for all GTA municipalities. The 2007 budget is a realistic plan built on the solid financial planning practices for which the Region continues to be recognized. For more information on the 2007 budget and business plan, visit www.halton.ca. --Gary Carr is the chair of Halton Region Lynn Pegg would like to announce the engagement of her son David Alan to Katrina Maree Bale, daughter of Craig and Marion Bale. Congratulations from your family