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Levies account for much of tax hike choice but to accept it. Continued from pg. 1 These are all preliminary figures and The operating base budget increase, could change when the capital budget dishowever, is only 2.6 per cent-- the amount cussion gets under way in mid-November required to continue the existing operaand operating budget debate begins in tions of the town plus costs previously approved by council. With the exception of mid-January. Public delegation night for firefighters no new staff will be hired, and the capital budget is Nov. 14 and for the operating budget it's January 14. no programs will be expanded. DeSousa said the capital budget of Fogal, who called this an inflationary in$19.5 million is "very aggressive". While it crease, said, "it's not the typical basket of will be reviewed in more detail in the comgoods upon which the rate of inflation is ing months, $15.4 million will be spent on calculated." Infrastructure Services and $3 million on "A lot of people think that if the taxes Recreation and Parks projects. are going up by 5.9 per cent that DeSousa pointed out Halton we're ramping up the number Hills is second only to Milton of staff that we've got and we're in the lowest amount of taxes increasing the pay well beyond paid by property owners (with what the people get in the pria home assessed at $400,000) vate sector. So I know this is not in a comparison to neighbourthe case," said Fogal. ing municipalities: from highest More than half of the Town's to lowest Brampton ($1,926), proposed increase is the result Cambridge ($1,738), Kitchener of levies to pay for town faciliJANE ($1,602), Waterloo ($1,527), ties: FOGAL Burlington ($1,500), Oakville · 1.2% Fire Services Levy, to ($1,458), Mississauga ($1,452), pay for new firefighters and pay Caledon ($1,441), Halton Hills ($1,435) off the new fire station debt. Fogal noted and Milton ($1,002). DeSousa said Milton's that the fire halls were built during slow low taxes is a result of growth and revenue growth years when there was no development charges to pay for them. As well, the from the Mohawk casino. Town taxes provide for 90 per cent of fire department is gradually transitioning from a part-time service to a full-time one. frontline customer service delivery and in· 0.9 % Special Infrastructure Levy, for frastructure, said DeSousa. Of $362 Town infrastructure improvements. This is the taxes/$100,000 of assessment: $55 goes to last year for this levy, and Fogal suggested fire services, $48 general administration; the money raised ($294,000) should be used $44 recreation programs and cultural fatowards active transportation (walking/bik- cilities; $44 bridges, roads and sidewalk ing) projects such as separated bike lanes repair; $43 general engineering and public on major roadways and sidewalks/paths in works; $27 libraries, $16 winter maintenance; $12 planning, development and susthe Armstrong Ave. industrial area. · 0.7% Library Operating Levy, to help tainability; $11 park maintenance, and $7 alleviate the dollar impact of opening the streetlighting. DeSousa said other factors have influnew Georgetown library. This is also the enced the budget preparation, including: last year for this levy. · the lowest assessment growth in the · 0.5% Arena Levy, to pay the debt for the arena additions. Originally, the levy was last 10 years (only 0.75%). It peaked in only supposed to be 0.2% but construction 2006 at 4.4%. MPAC is reassessing residencosts were higher than expected, requiring tial homes this year. · the need to replenish seriously depleta higher levy. A 1% levy will be imposed in ed reserves, 2014 and 2015. · the need to spend an additional "That is a surprise and a disappointment $870,000 for employee wages and benefits. to me," said Fogal, noting there is so little DeSousa said he expects the assessment money for other priorities. However since the money is for Mold-Masters quad pads, growth will slowly rise with the building which she supported (she did not support of the outlet mall in the 401 Corridor and the third in Acton), she said she has little other developments. 3 ·The IFP· Halton Hills, Thursday, August 30, 2012 On Now at The Brick! For more details go instore or online @thebrick.com. 316 Guelph Street, Georgetown 905-873-1818 31 georgetownhonda.ca 905-874-3021 HONDA e-mail: hassellsauto@bellnet.ca www.hassellautomotive.com Warranty Warranty Warranty 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe 2009 Suzuki SX4 AWD · Automatic · Cruise Control · Low Mileage $14,200 · A/C · Leather · Cruise Control CALL $13,900 2006 Toyota Solara · Coupe Style · Excellent Condition · Air Conditioning + HST $12,700 + HST + HST