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www.independentfreepress.com Local skipping champs head to South Africa 50 cents (+GST) Sports & Leisure pg. 1 THE INDEPENDENT E & FREE PRESS Italian Bread Salad Page 17 Friday, July 13, 2007 48 Pages Halton Hills' award-winning newspaper INSIDE Light up with savings Local boy swarmed in Hamilton Page 3 Karen Armstrong of Halton Hills Hydro demonstrated the difference in power use between a traditional bulb (left) and a new energy efficient bulb (right). The display was at the Halton Hills Hydro Summer Savings Plans kickoff barbecue, Thursday afternoon behind the Alice Street office. Photo by Ted Brown Dropping in for a visit? Page 10 Editorial 6 Ted Brown 7 Const. Borak 9 Calendar 12, 17 Classifieds 20-23 Budget '08: $50 more out of taxpayers' pockets MELANIE HENNESSEY Special to The IFP Local residents could end up paying about $50 more in regional taxes next year, according to projections put forward by Halton staff. At Wednesday's meeting, regional councillors approved the budget directions to staff that could bring a four per cent hike on the Halton portion of residents' tax bills, or $49.70 based on a $300,000 assessment. The approved increase for 2007 was 2.5 per cent, or about $30. On the water and wastewater rate side, homeowners could be dishing out 6.5 per cent more, which equates to $43.86 more for a home that uses 300 cubic metres annually. While there was little discussion amongst council members about the MAYOR RICK BONNETTE numbers, Hal`numbers not ton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette etched in stone' emphasized that he doesn't want residents to think they're etched in stone. "These are guidelines," he noted. "I've seen the numbers change many times." Acting Commissioner of Corporate Services Mark Scinocca detailed the big-ticket items driving the proposed budget up, like $4.1 million to cover staff compensation and inflation. Top dollar value projects proposed in Halton's 2008 tax capital budget include: · $27 million-- Halton Regional Centre expansion plans · $6.7 million-- police headquarters realignment · $4.7 million-- Winston Churchill Boulevard reconstruction from Old Pine Road to River Drive He also said an additional $4 million would be needed for waste management, some of which could help implement the GreenCart program quicker than originally planned, depending on the new 2008 waste collection contract. The projected $49.70 tax increase is comprised of two components--$24.54, or 2.9 per cent more for regional services and $25.16, or 6.2 per cent more for police services. The budget resolution also states that the 2008 tax-supported base budget should be prepared with a tax increase that doesn't exceed 2.9 per cent and the rate-supported budget put together with a maximum rate hike of 6.5 per cent. REFINANCING? PURCHASING? WEDNESDAY... Designs are unveiled for the Town's new fire headquarters and Georgetown South station. See Wednesday's edition for details. For breaking news go to: www.independentfreepress.com GEORGETOWN VOTED #1 FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE 2007 KIA SPECTRA CALL THE GEORGETOWN 1-866-364-0697 or HEADQUARTERS 905-877-7818 0 % FINANCE 0.9% Variable BOB WOODS Mortgage Specialist *Rate subject to change (905) 360 Guelph St., Georgetown 877-1490