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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, D ec em be r 12 ,2 01 9 | 10 Three men have been arrested following a four- month investigation by Halton Regional Police Service's drug and human trafficking unit. In the early morning hours of Dec. 5, members of the tactical rescue unit and plain clothes officers executed a search warrant at two homes, one on Eighth Line in Halton Hills and one on Caulfield Crescent in Mississauga, as well as a business on Steeles Avenue in Milton. Officers later executed a fourth search warrant at a residence on Ferguson Drive in Milton. During the investiga- tion police seized: • A loaded Taurus G2S handgun • 3.5 ounces of cocaine • 38 oxycodone tablets • 37 Xanax tablets • $5,500 in Canadian currency • $1,000 in US currency Carlos Jebaili, 33, of Mississauga, has been ar- rested and charged with: Trafficking a controlled substance, two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, unautho- rized possession of a pro- hibited firearm, posses- sion of a firearm knowing its possession is unautho- rized, possession of a pro- hibited firearm with am- munition, and careless storage of a firearm in con- travention with storage regulations. Mekhail Mekhail, 32, of Halton Hills, has been ar- rested and charged with: Possession of a controlled substance and failure to comply with recogni- zance. Brent McGrail, 31, of Milton, has been arrested and charged with three counts of trafficking a con- trolled substance. Jebaili and Mekhail were held in custody pend- ing a bail hearing, while McGrail was released on a promise to appear and an undertaking. Police are reminding the public that all persons charged are presumed in- nocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Anyone with informa- tion about this investiga- tion is asked to contact Det. Const. Kevin Magee of the drug and human Traf- ficking Unit at 905-825-4747 ext. 4964. Tips can be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.halton- crimestoppers.ca. CRIME HALTON POLICE SEIZE GUN, DRUGS AND CASH BRYAN MYERS bmyers@metroland.com On Monday, the Town of Halton Hills' budget com- mittee approved the 2020 budget. Included in the budget was the lowest tax-levy in- crease since 2001, at 3.1 per cent. The rate is a tax cut from the projected 3.9 per cent levy used as the basis for the long-term financial plan. When blended with Hal- ton Region and the boards of education, the increase equates to 2.1 per cent. "This is the lowest tax- levy increase in almost two decades," said Mayor Rick Bonnette, adding that the budget figure was even more significant, given the challenges of changing pro- vincial legislation. Compared with sur- rounding communities, the Town of Halton Hills main- tained the lowest increase, alongside Oakville, and the highest levy rate increase was Milton, with a proposed five per cent. "It's important to note that achieving a tax-rate in- crease below the projected target is indicative of the town's strong fiscal manage- ment and relentless pursuit to keep the tax rate as low as possible," Bonnette said. Factors that contrib- ute to the levy include: • A healthy assessment growth of 2.26 per cent • Review and implemen- tation of efficiencies • Ongoing receipt of sup- plementary taxes • Phased repayment of hydro promissory note Highlights of the pro- posed 2020 budget in- clude: • Reserve contributions of $9.9 million to prepare for growth and unanticipated events • Acceleration of debt payment • Continuation of special infrastructure gap levy to maintain assets and sup- port recommendations to lower carbon conversions • Discontinuation of the ice rate surcharge The budget also accounts for the sale of approximate- ly 5.26 acres of developable area in Hornby Park for the District 1 Halton Region po- lice station. More information about the 2020 budget is available on the Town of Halton Hills website. The budget will go to council for final approval at the Dec. 9 meeting. COUNCIL HALTON HILLS SETS LOWEST LEVY INCREASE IN NEARLY 2 DECADES BRYAN MYERS bmyers@metroland.com