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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday March 15, 2008 - 9 Budget committee reconvenes Monday Oakville's 2008 Budget Committee will be meeting on Monday to try and find a way to reduce the proposed 4.1 per cent increase to the tax bill, while simultaneously figuring out how to accommodate requests for greater spending. The $252-million operating budget, which represents an 11 per cent spending increase by the Town, had been the subject of numerous public information meetings throughout February. During this time, diverse delegations from arts and culture organizations to the Oakville Chamber of Commerce called on the Town to provide more programs and services, which include the enhancing of library programs for children and teens, additional transit routes, increased funding for the arts and the need for the Town to move quickly to develop a strong economic development strategy. Budget Committee Chair Allan Elgar noted that the committee had received tremendous input from both staff and the public and would give serious consideration to the requests they had received. "We have to balance many competing demands and priorities," said Elgar. Currently, the spending increases present in the budget include a boost for Emergency Services, which will see money allotted for them move from $19,488,100 in 2007 to $22,649,100 in 2008 in an increase of 16.2 per cent. Fire prevention in particular will be getting 42.3 per cent more than it got last year with committee members pointing out that this increase will go towards the hiring of 20 additional firefighters and two additional fire prevention officers. The Town's Recreational Services also saw a jump in this year's budget moving from $15,130,300 in 2007 to $17,209,100 in 2008 in an increase of 13.7 per cent. This category also recorded a 23.4 per cent jump in money designated for recreational facilities from $7,439,500 in 2007 to $9,183,200 in 2008. The 2008 budget recognizes that to stay green, you have to spend the green, and as such, money for the design and implementation of environmental programs and services has increased 15.6 per cent from $518,700 in 2007 to $599,500 in 2008. The currently forecast increase of 4.1 per cent to the town's overall tax bill means that the owner of a home with a $500,000 assessment will pay an extra $205 a year while the owner of a home with a $350,000 assessment will pay an extra $140 a year. The Budget Committee will meet on Monday, March 17 from 9 a.m.noon in Committee Rooms one and two to deliberate the 2008 budget. The committee will then present its recommendations to council on Tuesday, March 25 in council chambers starting at 7 p.m., where council will debate the budget before approving the tax increase. Members of the public are invited to attend both functions while those who cannot may view the meetings live on Town TV at www.towntv.ca. For more information on the 2008 budget process visit www.oakville.ca. If you have a news tip or story idea, call the Oakville Beaver at 845-3824. SPACE AGE SHELVING The Storage Specialists In Home Consultation Apa tme ts Apartment m Home f es Home Offices ome Pan ry Pa try Gara Ga age a ag Lau dr La ndry a dr C osets Mirro Closets & Mir or Doors se Mr o 3350 Fairview Street between Walkers & Guelph Line 905-333-1322 2555 Erin Centre Mississauga 905-542-0353 www.spaceageshelvingburlington.com www.spaceageshelving.ca KNOX PRESBYTERIAN SIXTEEN (Dundas Rd. W. & Lions Valley Park Rd.) 905-335-3433 Rev. G. Walter Read The Little Church With The Big Welcome Good Friday Mar. 21 y 10:30 am Dramatization of the Passion of our Lord Easter Sunday Mar. 23 10:30 am "The Road Less Travelled" www.knox16.com Trafalgar g Presbyterian Rev. Kristine O'Brien Music: Andrew Donaldson D.D. Discover a warm and diverse Christian community EASTER SERVICES: Palm Sunday, March 16 10 am Maundy Thursday, March 20 7:30 pm Good Friday, March 21 10 am Family Service Easter Sunday, March 23 8 am Sunrise Service 10 am Easter Service www.trafalgarchurch.ca 905-842-2800 Trafalgar & Upper Middle Road E. Trafalgar to White Oaks, East to Litchfield Entrance at end of Litchfield