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13 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, April 3, 2009 Police asked to join regional tax freeze BERTIN STABLES Spring Lessons and Summer Camps · Weekday Lessons 4/$107 or $35/Lesson · Saturday at Farm 10am-3pm $40 (Children 5-12 yrs.) By Tim Foran METROLAND WEST MEDIA GROUP (905) 827-4678 www.bertinstables.com www.bertinstables.com Halton police and the local conservation authorities are being asked to support the Region's efforts to enact a tax freeze in 2010. Halton regional council passed a motion by chairman Gary Carr Wednesday directing staff to report back on measures needed to achieve a freeze on the regional portion of property taxes in its 2010 budget. But an amendment to the motion, brought forward by Halton Hills Councillor Clark Somerville and also passed, expanded on Carr's motion to include asking regional police and the conservation authorities to consider freezing their budgets as well. "If we're going to look at trying to have a no tax increase next year, we should be asking all the partners," Somerville explained. The police services board and the boards of the conservation authorities create their own budgets, meaning the Region can't dictate their budgets, but can ask them to consider a freeze, said Somerville. Halton police receives most of its operating funding from property taxes while about 30 per cent of Conservation Halton's budget is paid through the property tax base. The tax-supported budget for the police has increased about 6 per cent annually over the past eight years, but only 3.4 per cent in 2009. Conservation Halton has had double digit increases in its tax-supported budget in recent years, including 9.7 per cent in 2009. Conversely, tax hikes for regional services such as ONT ARIO SPA DISTRIBUTORS PAS 75 S OCK T IN S THE PASSION OV ER 1/2 PRICE THE ESSENCE THE PRISTINE Factory Demos, Floor Models & 2nds MUST GO! DON'T MISS OUT! ALL '08 INVENTORY SALE road repairs, waste collection and health programs have been generally low this decade, averaging only a 1.1 per cent increase over the past eight years. The motion passed with little debate, though Burlington Councillor Carol D'Amelio asked staff what would be the impact on social services, which has seen an increase in social assistance requests over the first two months of this year. Currently, the Region pays about 20 per cent of welfare payments with the Province picking up the difference. The expected welfare increase could be accommodated through reserve funds, replied staff. As part of the 2009 budget, regional council, anticipating an increase in the welfare rolls, created a recession reserve fund to accommodate higher than normal social assistance requests. The tax freeze wouldn't affect the water budget, which is paid for through water bills rather than taxes. However, council is expected to look at water rates, which have increased about 7 per cent annually over the past eight years, in the next month. If implemented, a freeze on taxes for regional services such as garbage collection, roads maintenance and health services would likely equate to about a $20 savings for the average residential household. Regional staff had forecasted a 2.5 per cent increase in taxes for regional services in 2010, assuming a 2.5 per cent growth in assessment. To achieve a freeze instead, staff would have to find about $5.3 million in savings. REG $13,000 1/2 PRICE SALE REG $12,500 1/2 PRICE SALE REG $10,500 1/2 PRICE THE BB-Q ISLAND · 27.5" x 82.5" Rock Base · 43" x 102.5" Custom Tile Top REG · 60,000 BTU Angus Grill $10,900 with a 15,000 BTU Intrared Backburner · 4.4 Cubic ft. stainless Steel Refrigerator SALE FRI., JULY 10/09 - 7:30PM This model with 85 whirlpool jets will help you live life to the fullest! Seats 7 adults. 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