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The Oakville Beaver, Friday May 5, 2006 - 5 Halton homeowners to get tax break By Melanie Hennessey SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Halton homeowners are going to save a few bucks on their tax bills now that Halton Region has received some unexpected funding from the Province. The Ontario government is flowing over $10 million to Halton from its 2006 budget -- funds that translate into a reduction in the tax increase on the Halton portion of the tax bill from 3.6 per cent to 3.1 per cent. For a typical homeowner in Halton with a property assessed at $300,000, it means the tax increase is going down to about $41.72 from $48.24 for 2006. "As chair of regional council and as a Halton taxpayer, I am JOYCE SAVOLINE pleased that this funding from the Province will reduce the property tax levy," said Regional Chairman Joyce Savoline. "Even though the 2006 budget was approved last December, the actual tax rates are being implemented now, so we have the opportunity to reduce the tax impact on Halton's residents." The additional provincial funding includes an anticipated $753,000 for public health programs, almost $2.2 million for ambulance services and almost $8 million for the Region's transportation capital program. Overall, the money helps reduce the property tax levy by $1.26 million. "The Region's mandate is to provide key services like emergency medical services, public health programs and our transportation capital program," said Halton CAO Brent Marshall. "This funding from the Province enables us to refinance our current level of service and supports our commit- "As chair of regional council and as a Halton taxpayer I am pleased that this funding from the Province will reduce the property tax levy." Joyce Savoline, Halton Region chair ment to maintain high quality of life in Halton. We applaud the provincial government for starting to fulfill their funding commitments." The 3.1 per cent tax increase reflects a 1.9 per cent jump in costs for regional services, or $17.64, and a six per cent hike in expenses for police services, or $24.08. Together, this makes up the total $41.72 regional tax increase. Before receiving the provincial funding, the tax increase for regional services was set at 2.6 per cent, or $24.15. The water and wastewater rate will still increase by 7.2 per cent, which equates to an extra $43.62 for the typical household based on an annual consumption of 300 cubic metres. Some of the items driving the tax-supported 2006 budget include $65.3 million for the transportation capital program and $1.9 million for ambulance services. On the water and wastewater rate side, a few of the budget priorities are a $5.4 million project for water and wastewater mains related to QEW widening and $3.8 million undertaking to upgrade the Oakville South-East Wastewater Treatment Plant. For All of Your Printing Needs · Single Sheet · Tabloids · 1 Colour to Full Colour Process · Very Competitive Prices MATH SPELLING GRAMMAR This preschool teaches your child to read. Oxford Learning's Little Readers Academy is a funfilled way for your three to six-year-old to get ready for school and life. TM READING WRITING FRENCH STUDY SKILLS Invites you to... Dinner and a movie Maple Grove Village 511 Maple Grove Dr. Suite 2, Oakville (905) 849-4027 1131 Nottinghill Gate, Oakville (905) 469-1929 380 Dundas St. E. Oakville (905) 257-1207 Printing and Distribution Packages Available Call Marie Contact us for more information or to book your no-obligation assessment. Little Reader Summer & Fall Registration NOW OPEN You could win a $50 gift certificate to Philthy McNasty's, & 2 passes to any Famous Players Cinemas just by becoming a new pre-paid reader! ORDER FORM YES I would like to become a Pre-Paid Reader $72.00/year Payment: Cheque Visa MasterCard American Express Card # ______________________________________________________________________ Exp. Date: ___________________________ Name: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City: _____________________________________________________ Postal Code:_____________________________________________ Voted Best Learning Centre (905)845-3824 ext.273 mgallagher@oakvillebeaver.com @ www.oxfordlearning.com Cheques made payable to: Mail to: 467 Speers Rd., Oakville ON L6K 3S4 Phone 905-845-9742 Email: acalhoun@oakvillebeaver.com $20.00 from every subscription started in May and June will be donated to the Oakville Relay For Life All Pre-Paid Readers are Automatically Entered!