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Tax system update facing regional council obstacle By Oksana Buhel The Halton -Citizen’s Committee on Tax Reform outlined its recommen- dations for an new tax system Tuesday evening at the Town of Halton Hills Civic Centre. Reaction from the public-was posi- tive, for the most part, but the biggest hurdle will be to convince regional councillors to rescind their December 1992 decision. Last fall, Halton Region introduced a region-wide market value assessment based on 1988 property values, but decided in December to delay the proposal for a year while a citizen’s committee studied the con- cept. The committee came back with its find- ings, outlined in the committee’s final Sept. 1 report, which contradict the region’s view that 1988 should be considered a base year. “1988 was much too volatile a year for the region to base its property tax system on,” insisted Janet Hamilton, member of the com- mittee. Regional Councillor Rick Bonnette agreed, saying, “1988 really was not a good reflection of economic times. There was hardly any development and prices were over-inflated.” The committee recommended property taxes be distributed based on 1992 market values in each municipality. If Regional cil Rick Bonnette time to com- plete 1992 value assessment study. Up to that time, the base year will remain the same — 1980 values for Halton Hills. The report suggests the province remove from the property tax base any municipal services whose benefits extend past regional boundaries, such as welfare, child care and homes for the aged. cumding of bette ser- vices should be based on a more pro; form of taxation Line to ability to ae it was stated in the re] Members of the public present at the meet- ing wondered why people would be taxed according to their ability to pay. “I have a big house, a high mortgage, and not much money in the bank,” on precedent, going back to Ray King the pees of Adam Smith, and seemed to work well. One gro up which will benefit from the “ability to pay” concept is seniors. The com- mittee’s report recommends seniors, who demonstrate a need, be excluded from pay- ing Property taxes until the property is sold. Asked if seniors will be charged interest on the amount, members of the committee admitted they would. “They won’t be paying more taxes,” a committee member tried to Meg out. “They’ll be paying taxes and inter- 2 One of the alternative methods considered for financing municipal services, which would no longer be funded by property taxes, was an assessment system based on unit value assessment (UVA) - a combina- tion of property land and building size. The committee claimed it has not had the oppor- tunity to complete the study, but offered to oversee its completion if the region gave approval. The report also states educational pro- rams and salaries should be increasingly supported by the province through in - taxes, but provides parents with financial opportunities to send children to preferred ols. Town of Halton Hills representatives praised the report. “I’m highly impressed with this committee’s recommendation,” said town administrator Ray King. “They’re very sound.” Mayor Russ Miller ce the report a “great document” and applauded the | com- mittee for “really doing it’s aan work. Regional council will be voting on the report Sept.30, and members of the public are urged to attend the meeting and show their support. The council must give at least two thirds approval. “It’s going to take some convincing,” Hamilton admitted. Bonnette agreed. “Let’s get out there (Halton Regional Centre on Bronte Rd in Oakville),” he said. WEEIEN Vol No. 11 Saturday, Septe 993 28 pages Call Brenda 877-5165 ~ 24hr. pager ~ Sonison s_ BRENDA PAYTON ASSOCIATES Sales Representatve 232 Guelph St., Georgetown 873-2254 ‘Your independent voice in Halton Hills’ 50 cents includes G.S.T. Turner statement called feto question _By Oksana Buhel Halton Reg sion representa- 01 reer with _— Matton-Peel M.-P. Garth Tumer’s Monday announce- ment that the region is shirk- ing its responsibility regard- ing water and fish habitat concerns as they affect Acton ieee suggested regional councitiit “get on with pro- viding the necessary services for development and not use the Fisheries Act as an excuse.” at a press confer- ence called by the Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce. Under the Fisheries Act, any- one responsible for increas- ing the level of deleterious substances in bodies of water, and altering fish habi- tat can be held liable. The Ministry of Energy and the Environment (MOEE) and Halton Region have been hesistant in approving water location for this reason. Turner alleged Monday he had “tried to communicate” to the involved agencies the fact that Ross Reid, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, will not likely hold individuals liable for fish habitat alter- ation. the olde Hide House Peter Pomeroy Wes Lammers, special projects co-ordinator of the Ministry of Energy and the Environment (MOEE) stated Monday he knew nothing about Reid’s promise. Regional officials were similarly -in the dark. Regarding Turner’s implica- tion the problem was at the regional level, not at the fed- eral level, Peter Pomeroy, regional chairman pointed out, “those kinds of com- aoe are counterproduc- tive.” He added since 1982, the Pe has spent a lot of money investigating all aspects of ground water, an to blame Halton Region for the problem is “incorrect and disregarding the fundamental a Marilyn Serjeantson problem surrounding the issue. All we want is clear direction,” Pomeroy insisted, “and it has not been forth- coming.” Halton Hills municipal councillor and regional plan- ning and public works chair Marilyn Serjeantson pees out she had been tryin; up a meeting betw een Thee and regional officials long before Turner’s announce- ment, and is still trying to coordinate one, but a date has not yet been set. Asked what she thought of Turner laying the blame on the region for the Acton situa- tion, Serjeantson said she was “extremely disappoint- ed.” Our doors are open! Don’t miss this great opportunity to save on many clearance items while we prepare for our “official” Grand Reopening on Thanksgiving Weekend. Now more than ever, it’s worth the drive to Acton! NOW OPEN 10-6 DAIL 53