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How the Town spends your tax dollars On February 6, council approved the 2006 operating and capital budgets. I want to provide you with some information I feel is important for you to know and will assist you in better understanding how your tax dollars are spent. Council approved a 2.7% base budget increase, and 2% dedicated to pavement of local roads, for a total tax increase of 4.7%. When you combine the Town's portion, which is only 31% of your total tax bill, with that of the Region and school boards, the bottom line is a total increase of 3%. There is $10.5 million in the 2006 capital budget, with $4.5 million allocated to roads and bridges of which over $1.1 million is coming from the 2% dedicated to the pavement of local roads. In addition, there is $1 million for parks, and almost $2 million for fire vehicles, equipment, and a third station. This year is also a property re-assessment year. For Halton Hills, the average increase is approximately 13%, so if your assessment increase is greater than 13%, you will likely see an increase in your taxes related to the reassessment. If you have questions about your new assessment value you can call the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) at 1-866-296-6722 or www.mpac.ca. There are options available to you to have your assessment reviewed or appealed. In Halton Region, residents send approximately $39 million to the City of Toronto for social welfare services. This is called "pooling". The Town of Halton Hills portion is approximately $4 million and translates to approximately $175 per household. That is $4 million of our tax dollars going directly to Toronto to cover their social programs. This program needs to be addressed by the current Liberal government, as the Town should not be paying for these costs associated with Toronto. Council briefs THE MAYOR'S MESSAGE Rick Bonnette Clayhill Rd. repair work moved up Although the 2006 budget discussions have just finished, council is already forwarding resolutions for budget committee's consideration in 2007. Ward 2 Councillor Joan Robson received approval for her resolution that the 2007 budget committee considers gravel treatment for Clayhill Rd., north of Glen Williams in 2007 instead of 2010. "It's really horrendous," said the rural councillor, who has driven there recently, "Clayhill Rd., without a doubt, is worse than any line or any road that I've seen in terms of weather damage." ··· On Feb. 15, I had the pleasure to attend a citizenship court at the Stewarttown Middle School. It was a wonderful event presided over by Judge Roberto Roberti. Principal Chiasson, staff, and all the students deserve kudos for hosting this event. ··· On Feb. 16, Dr. David Van der Bent celebrated his 40th year of practice in Acton. Congratulations and a big thank you from all of your patients. Congratulations and a happy retirement to Catherine Giberson who has retired after 43 years as a nurse at the Georgetown Hospital. ··· Thanks to Sam and Doreen at Ares Restaurant where I will be hosting a Lunch for Youth March 24. All proceeds go to the local youth centres. We have a special guest speaker, Paul Rosen, who is the goalie for the paraplegic sledge hockey team. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased at Halton Hills Community Support & Information, 36 Armstrong Ave., Georgetown, or by phone at 905-873-6502. ··· Keeping it real! I can be reached by telephone at 905-873-2601, ext. 2342, or by e-mail at mayor@haltonhills.ca. --Rick Bonnette is the mayor of Halton Hills ··· Halton Hills council has approved a land sale to J.S. Jones & Son Funeral Home for $140,000 plus costs. The town-owned land is adjacent to the south boundary of the funeral home's location on Trafalgar Rd. The additional costs include administration, advertising, survey, appraisal and registration. The land was declared surplus to Town needs last year. --By Cynthia Gamble, staff writer