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Inside the Herald reviews the events of In Business For Business GSS OFFICE SUPPLIES Gorgtowh Secretarial Services GEORGETOWN 877 Pi the HERALD Home Newspaper of Halton Hills Established 1866 FREE DISTRIBUTION THURSDAY DECEMBER 28 PAGES For 1990 Region proposes tax hike of 99 per cent By DONNA KELL the Herald residents could face the biggest tax increase in six years if a proposal to hike 1990 tax by 9 9 per cent is approved by Regional government s finance commissioner Joe last Wednesday released the proposed residen tax budget for 1990 suggesting an average property tax of a house up from last year figure of 24681 a household in a budget of I million This budget if approved would the price of all Regional ser vice up per cent from 597 to for the average Halton household The tax budget will be reviewed next week at three special budget meetings The tax supported budget falls closely on the heels of a rate- supported budget proposed at a six impact on taxpayers The ratesupported budget propos ed in November and slated for review this month pays for water sewer and waste disposal in The proposed 9 per cent in crease in the tax supported budget compares to a much lower m crease in 1988 a 7 per cent budget increase in and 1985 1986 and 1987 increases under seven per cent according to a Regional budget report We re now starting to be above the level of inflation Mr told councillors at a special budget presentation But he said Halton increases are lower than neighbor communities We re doing well in comparison to other regions that have similar budgetary pressures to what Halton does the finance- sioner said Halton could face even greater increases than 9 9 per cent in ts tax supported budget in 1991 because of provincial grants that are lower than growth rate Mr The Regional headquarters slated for construction in the 1990s could also cause budgetary in creases The proposed rate supported budget increased sharply in because of skyrocketing tipping fees for waste that is transported and disposed outside Halton But budgetary needs are expected to drop when is ex pected to open its Regional dump site oi 25 near Britannia Road Mr Rinaldo says The Milton site is now under pro test from three groups including the Town of Milton but approval is expected following a February ap peal hearing The largest chunk of the propos ed million collected for the Regional tax budget n will go to the Halton Regional Police Force with an expected budget of million in the coming year That represents an increase of 12 3 per cent over this year s 2 RIDE roadies for New Years Eve Drivers take warning as the New Year festivities Approach because the Halton Regional Police Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere program will be In full force tab weekend Constables Scott Mason and Dong Macintosh of Halton Regional Traffic Bureau shown here will be among RIDE program crew 1Mb month police have stopped 5 vehicles in Georgetown Acton and MUtoa Seven people have had their drivers licence suspended and four people have been charged with Impaired driving Halton police nave stopped vehicles throughout the Region in the HIDE photo Ben million budget Mr says the police budget is not subsidized by provin government grants and will consume over per cent of the tax money collected The police budget for 1990 eludes over 000 for court room security legislated to local police forces by the province this year Regional programs and services will get the biggest piece of tax pie at 38 per cent of the budget But Regional taxes in count for only per cent of the charges levied on the average Halton household Education costs are 57 per cent of the total average 791 paid by each Halton household this year Halton Hills celebrates New Years Eve at Civic Centre In keeping with the new Civic Centre s purpose as the focal point for Halton Hills the town will be holding only one New Years Eve celebration this year to take place at the Civic Centre starting at 11 30 pm Sunday Previously Acton held its new year celebrations at the Acton Town Hall while the Georgetown festivities were held at the Knox Presbyterian Church This residents from both Acton and Georgetown will be able to gather together over hot chocolate coffee apple cider and cookies and reminisce about the year gone by They will also be treated with piano playing by town employee Bob and sing songs The bell ringing will occur at the stroke of midnight and the festivities will wind up about 30 minutes later The town will provide people from Acton free transportation to and from the Civic Centre Anyone who needs a ride from Acton can catch a bus at Main Street and Elizabeth Street out side the Acton Town Hall Church Street and Maria Street and at the Becker s Plaza all around p m To reserve a seat people should call Tyler Transport at or 8531550 New Year s Day Mayor Russ Miller and the town councillors will be at the Civic Centre to greet area residents between 2 and during the Mayors Levee Refreshments will be served and Lou Darcy of St Johns United Church will be playing the piano