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Councillors left speechless as 2012 budget outlined householder would paid $1,322, in Mississauga, $1,116 and in Milton just $842. But in Brampton, that homeowner would pay At Monday's council meeting, council $1,908, in Caledon and Oakville, $1,443. members made no comment on the 2012 "Whether you look at (Town taxes alone preliminary budget-- not a whisper, not a or the combined Town, Region and edugrumble, not even the mayor's usual ad- cation taxes), you will see that the Town monition that `the numbers are not cut in of Halton Hills is on the lower end of the stone and will change'. charts," said DeSousa. Nada. This year, for every $360 paid in Town Silently, a stone-faced council ap- taxes it broke down as: proved a recommendation directing staff · $56 to capital expenditures to prepare the 2012 budget with a tax levy · $52 to fire services increase of no more than 5.5 per cent. · $48 to general administration The 5.5 per cent increase · $48 to general engineering works out to a $20/$100,000 of and pubic works residential assessment increase · $44 to bridges, roads and over last year's Town tax bill. sidewalk repair In other words if your home is · $42 to recreation/cultural assessed at $400,000, your infacilities and programs crease would be $80. · $26 to library services The overall tax impact, how· $17 to winter maintenance ever, combined with education · $11 to parks maintenance and regional taxes, would be 3.1 · $9 to planning developper cent (or $31/$100K of asment and sustainability ED sessment)-- or a $124 increase · $7 to street lighting DESOUSA on a home assessed at $400,000. Town staff is preparing a Total tax to be paid by a homecapital budget of $14.891 milowner with a $400,000 home is $4,032-- lion with the most being spent on infra39% goes to Regional services, 38% goes structure services-- $7.7 million-- and to Town services and 23% goes to educa- $5.7 million on recreation services. tion. By 2021, the Town will have about $56 The base budget, $31,660,500, was in- million in its various reserves, but in the creased by only 2.6 per cent-- not the 3 nine-year capital forecast there is more per cent used in previous years. There is than $60 million of unfunded capital proja 1.2 per cent Fire Services Levy generat- ects. ing $380,000, a 1 per cent Special Infra"There is still not enough money that structure Levy generating $294,000 and a we're going to be putting aside to deal the 0.7 per cent Library Operating Levy, gen- unfunded capital projects. It helps, but erating $220,000 for a total $32.5 million it still doesn't address all the unfunded budget. capital projects that we know about now," "That 2.6 per cent is about in line with DeSousa said. the inflation for July. The July CPI (ConAs this is only the preliminary budget, sumer Price Index) was 2.7%," Town it likely will change in the coming months, Treasurer Ed DeSousa told members of with staff preparing options for council to council in his presentation. add or subtract from the total. Council deDeSousa said Halton Hills, in terms of liberation on the capital budget begins in taxes paid in 2011, "we're shown favour- public on November 16-17, while debate ably in comparison with (nine) surround- on the operating budget, which is open to ing municipalities." the public, begins January 10 and 16-17. To homeowners with a home assessed Public delegation night on the capital at $400,000, Halton Hills sent a $1,426 tax portion is set for Nov. 16, while Jan. 10 is bill. It was the fourth lowest of comparable scheduled for public requests related to municipalities. In Burlington, that same the operating budget. By CYNTHIA GAMBLE Staff Writer 7 Independent & Free Press, Thursday, September 1, 2011 WELLINGTON-HALTON HILLS MPP TED ARNOTT Web: www.tedarnottmpp.com Phone: 1-800-265-2366 Two exclusive ways to discover the best of Vietnam - space is limited 2 WAYS TO VISIT VIETNAM Escorted Vietnam Hosted by Sandy & Don Taylor 17 Day All-Inclusive DELUXE Tour Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City - November 17, 2011 $5,299 p.p. inc. air from Victoria + $395 taxes Best of Vietnam - Women Only 17 days - Only 4 seats left Hosted by Krista Voitchovsky Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City - November 6, 2011 $5,224 p.p. inc. air from Toronto.+ $387 taxes Georgetown Prices are in CAD, per person, based on double occupancy and subject to availability. Taxes & fees are additional as stated above 905-873-2000 328 Guelph St. Georgetown, ON TICO Reg #50018501 Open Saturdays 9:30am - 3pm w w w. v i s i o n 2 0 0 0 t r a v e l . c o m Become a member of our vibrant club · Explore new interests & make new acquaintances · Connect with your community · Advance the status of women locally & internationally Not a graduate? Ask about our Associate memberships Season Opener ­ Tuesday, September 6, 2011 - 7:30 p.m. Guests Welcome! St. Alban the Martyr Anglican Church Parish Hall 537 Main St., Glen Williams - Refreshments served For more information please visit www.cfuw-georgetown.ca United Way Ball slated for Sept. 17 The United Way of Halton Hills 13th annual President's Ball is set for Saturday, Sept. 17. Tickets for the semi-formal event to be held at the Club at North Halton are $90 per person. The evening will begin with a cocktail hour, featuring a champagne bar at 6 p.m. and silent auction tables, followed by a gourmet dinner at 7 p.m. Entertainment for the evening follows featuring local talent Laura T. and Jazz Band. This year marks the 25th anniversary for the United Way of Halton Hills and in order to commemorate that milestone 12 local agencies will be presented with onetime funding at the Ball. Some former volunteers will also be welcomed back. All proceeds from the Ball go toward the United Way of Halton Hills 2011 fall campaign. The United Way of Halton Hills currently funds 20 local social service agencies that provide programs and services to children, adults, families, seniors, people with special needs and those in crisis situations. To purchase tickets, make a donation, or inquire about sponsorships call Janet Foster, executive director of United Way of Halton Hills at 905-877-3066. FREE HEARING CLINIC HEARING SCIENCES is pleased to offer Complimentary Hearing Tests to the community (Age 55+) ONE Y NL DAY O S SPACE D E IT IM L HEARING SCIENCES Call 905-877-0099 to book your FREE HEARING TEST Thurs Sept 15, 9am-3pm ACTON Acton Community Centre 415 Queen Street East Audiology and Hearing Aid Centre HEARING SCIENCES, 211 Guelph St, Unit 1, Georgetown 905-877-0099