Town to launch review of development charges

The Town of Halton Hills will begin a review of its development charges. Development charges, which are levied on all new growth or expansion, help to offset the high cost of providing more town facilities and to keep tax rate increases for existing residents down. Provincial legislation mandates that municipalities' development charges bylaws must be reviewed every five years. The Town's current bylaw will expire in September 2007. Hemson Consulting Ltd will undertake the work for $50,000. Another $10,000 will be set aside for architect or engineering fees if cost estimates are needed for future capital projects. The money for the study will come from the Town's Development Charge Deferred Revenue reserve.