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OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, July 3, 2009 · 4 The Regional Municipality of Halton www.halton.ca Budget chair rules out zero per cent tax increase Blue & Green in your Laundry Room More Continued from page 1 While a zero per cent tax increase, like the one the Halton Region recently unveiled in its budget plan, may seem attractive Ward 6/Regional Councillor/Budget Chair Tom Adams noted it was not for Oakville. He said the Region is not actually proposing a zero per cent tax increase as the police budget is being considered separately from those totals. Adams also noted that a zero per cent tax increase means spending on programs and infrastructure projects are put off until later, which is not necessarily a good thing. "If you look at what happened in the 1990s with municipalities, there was a move towards zero per cent increases for some time and what that created instead of a financial increase in the tax load was an infrastructure deficit," said Adams. "Now there are many municipalities, ours is a good example, where infrastructure did not keep up with the community and there's now renewal needs for infrastructure, which are quite substantial." Adams noted Oakville's road network is in desperate need of renewal with upgrades also scheduled for Oakville's fire service this year. In addition, money also needs to be spent on transit service improvements and the Quad Pad Arena, which will be completed next year. "There's a number of enhancements that the community has been looking forward to in terms of the programs and services we provide," said Adams. "The question that the community has to decide is do they want to go back to the type of budgeting where you put off your capital needs to some further date and in effect create an infrastructure debt for yourself. We've been trying to dig ourselves out of that for many, many years now." The Town's recommended 2010 base budget includes a one per cent capital levy and a one per cent local infrastructure levy and the cost of maintaining existing services and programs will be on top of a minimum two per cent increase in Town spending. Town staff will be working on departmental budgets over the next several months with recommendations going forward to the budget committee on Nov. 5, and public delegations and deliberation meetings taking place on Nov. 17, 18 and 25. "These budget directions are just the starting point," said Tom Adams, Ward 6 Councillor/Budget Chair. "We invite all members of the community to provide us with their feedback throughout the summer and fall. Visit www.oakville.ca to see how you can participate." Escape to paradise Sign up for Art Pass online Receive a 2-day admission to RBG (plus artist guide) for just $15 per person or $30 per family. Not valid with any other offer. Art in paradise -- Three exhibits for one Th h hibi f hibit great price ly t Th k gi i g t p i , July to Thanksgiving E th Art, p Earth Art, opens July 3 Art in nature, nature iin art. hA t J ly A t i t t art t C t d by John Grande Curated by J h G d . ARTISTS ARTISTS TISTS' SPONSOR www.imagehonda com www.imagehonda.com wi g h d SPONSOR SPONSOR MEDIA SPONSOR S O SO S SoundArt, Rock Garden, op dA t R k G d pens July 10 J ly I t Interactive musical sculptures. ti i i l l pt S lptA t SculptArt, H d i P rk, p SculptArt, Hendrie Park, opens July 15 A k J ly Items for Blue Box Items for GreenCart Items for Garbage Detergent bottles 1 PET Willow Winds, 2008 Emilie Brzezinski EARTH ART EXHIBIT I pi d td Inspired outdoor sculptures of diverse mediums. d lpt f di di C t d by Maryrose C l Curated by M y Coleman, PRIME Gallery. G ll y 2 HDPE Dryer lint Paper towels Paper towel rolls Pet hair Dryer sheets Hangers Sponges Pet litter & waste Music in paradise T q il Tranquil Tuesdays -- Tuesdays, June and July; d y d y d J ly; y; 6 t 8 30 p.m.; Laking Garden to 8:30 p.m ; L ki g G d R dH t Red-Hot J Red Hot Jazz & Cool Blues -- Wednesdays; July C l Bl d d y ly th gh September; t 30 p.m through S pt b ; 6 to 8:30 p.m.; Hendrie Park h di P k Performance schedule and details at www.rbg.ca. f h d l d d t il t w rbg ca bg R g lar Reg l d i i Regular admission applies, RBG members: $4 ppli G b Detergent boxes Dryer sheet boxes Reuse: Many items in good condition can be taken to a local reuse centre. Clothing Linens Shoes (paired) Visit www.halton.ca/waste for a listing of reuse centres. Hendrie Park Music Passport -- RBG members' all access music members' all-access b ll i pass t y d i i k k ith p at any admission kiosk with a valid membership: $25 ki h ld b h p $25 hi Admit On e BECOME A MEMBER -- An annual membership starts at just $50 and provides many benefits. Sign up or renew your membership online at www.rbg.ca 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville, Ontario L6M 3L1 PW-08035 DAILY ADMISSION: Adult: $10; Senior/Student: $7; Child (age 5 to12): $5; Family: $25; L Child under age 5 and RBG members FREE BUY n .rbg.ca Owwline w RBG Centre, 680 Plains Road West, Hamilton/Burlington 905-527-1158, 1-800-694-4769