The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday September 19, 2008 - 5 Infrastructure costs driving up regional tax bill Continued from page1 homeowner based on a $300,000 assessment. The projected increase is comprised of two components -- $22.13, or 2.6 per cent more for regional services and $25, or 5.8 per cent more for police services. At its meeting Wednesday, regional council approved budget directions that say next year's tax increase for regional services shouldn't exceed 2.6 per cent. On the water and sewer rates side, council directed staff to prepare the rate-supported budget on the basis of a 6.7 per cent increase, which would equate to about $48 more on the typical homeowner's annual combined water and sewer bill. "The 2009 budget guidelines give direction to staff on how to deal with various cost pressures, including meeting our infrastructure needs, the rising cost of fuel and changing economic conditions," said Regional Chair Gary Carr. "Halton's multi-year approach to financial planning will ensure our service levels to residents, as well as tax and rate increases, are maintained in a predictable manner." Among the main items driving up taxes are the $4 Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr million more needed for staff compensation, $3.5 million more for capital expenses like roads and $2.5 million for inflationary costs. The phasing out of GTA pooling -- the system that Halton and other local regions contributed to help Toronto pay for its social service costs -- is freeing up about $5.8 million in the Region's budget. Of that, $2.9 million will be transferred to local municipalities for their infrastructure needs, while the remaining $2.9 million will help with the Region's costs for its roads, health and social programs. Carr said the "most significant challenge to be addressed in the 2009 budget and business plan relates to financing the Region's infrastructure." Earlier this year, council members learned that the Region needs a whopping $2.5 billion to cover its growth-related infrastructure projects between now and 2021, and more than half of that is required within the next four years. The Region has been advocating to the Province for help with financing its infrastructure needs and was holding out hope that the ProvincialMunicipal Fiscal and Service Delivery Review would bring about some changes. The review was scheduled for completion this summer, and Region staff delayed bringing forward the 2009 budget directions from July until now in anticipation of an announcement. But the Province has delayed the conclusion of the review and hasn't indicated to the Region when it may be done. Halton did recently learn it's slated to receive $22 million from Queen's Park for infrastructure as a result of the government passing the Investing in Ontario Act. "While this funding announcement is positive, it's a relatively small contribution towards the significant capital financing issues that are facing the Region and is onetime in nature," a report from Halton Commissioner of Corporate Services and Treasurer Jane MacCaskill said. The provincial funds will be incorporated into a multiyear financing plan for water, sewer and transportation programs that will be presented to regional council this fall. The plan will also detail the financing responsibilities for local developers and the Region and provide a complete picture of the Region's debt requirements, impacts on reserves and any impacts on taxpayers. Halton staff will continue preparing the 2009 budget over the coming months and present it to regional committees and council for deliberations in December. of-Town Servi & O u tce ort p Air OAKVILLE UNITED TAXI WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL! Carr joins round table on transit Halton Region Chair Gary Carr will be attending an upcoming session of the Citizen's Round Table on Public Transit, which will be held on Monday, Sept. 29. The open meeting, where Oakville citizens gather to discuss the issues surrounding public transit, will take place in Town Hall's committee room one, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will provide an open discussion forum where citizens may learn about and discuss possible barriers to affordable, accessible, sustainable and safe public transit in Oakville. Enhance your home for the Holidays EXPERIENCED DRIVERS YOU CAN DEPEND ON · · · · · Airport Flat Rates Out-of-Town Service Regular In-Town Service 10% Discount On Parcel Service GPS Computerized Dispatch · · · · · Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles Corporate Accounts Welcome Airport Customer Wake-Up Service 10% Senior Discount - In Town More Than 60 Taxis In Our Fleet BEFORE 24 hour · 7 days a week AFTER Limited dates still available. 905.338.0044 PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESS If you are interested in joining our team, please call 905-338-1762 "MASONRY & FIREPLACE DESIGN SPECIALISTS" w w w. c o b b l e s t o n e m b e r s . c a 406 SPEERS RD., OAKVILLE ACROSS FROM RONA LANSING 905-337-2066