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Halton Region aims for 1.5 per cent hike in taxes by Julia Le Metroland West Media 3 | Thursday, July 11, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Halton Region is looking at a staff-recommended tax hike of 1.5 per cent at the most for next year to maintain Regional service levels. Halton's Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer Mark Scinocca told regional council's budget committee recently the 2014 budget direction report was prepared bearing in mind council's direction to have a budget with tax rate increases at or below the rate of inflation. The commissioner said the inflation rate, has been affected by a weaker global economy -- it's currently at one per cent and predicted to rise to two per cent by the end of 2014. "Right now, growth is expected to continue to be slow, a lot lower than anticipated in 2012 for 2013 and considerably slower than the solid three per cent growth that the economy had been experienced previous to the economic downturn in 2008," said Scinocca, while delivering details of the guidelines for the 2014 tax- and rate-supported budget. The budget direction report focused on cost efficiencies, improvements in all service areas and some program enhancements to address growth. It was supported by the budget committee and yesterday (Wednesday) by council and conforms to council goals as set out in the Citizens Priorities 2011-2014 Action Plan. Those include maintaining a strong financial position (the Region has maintained a AAA rating for 22 years), assessing the impact of various provincial legislative, policy and program changes and the financial impacts of Halton's updated plans and strategies for transportation, solid waste management, housing, children's services and EMS (emergency medical services). "The key in the action plan is maintaining service levels in the Region's core service delivery areas while minimizing the tax impact to taxpayers," said Scinocca. Adding some pressure on the tax budget are the Conservation authorities' (Conservation Halton, Grand River Conservation and Credit Valley Conservation) request for an increase in municipal levy funding that amounts to more than $400,000 and additional funding requirements for social housing, which includes a $600,000 increase. The report also highlights a rate-supported budget that sees that hikes to the regional water and wastewater systems charges don't exceed 4.3 per cent. The 4.3 per cent increase takes into account growth in water and wastewater infrastructure, maintaining, replacing and rehabilitating existing infrastructure. The report went before council this week. Now that it's approved, Halton Region-funded agencies Halton Regional Police Services, Royal Botanical Gardens and Conservation authorities will be required to follow similar guidelines in preparing their own budgets and the Region's 2014 budget and business plan will be created over the next few months. An overview of the budget book, which will be printed in mid-November, will be given to members of council at a budget information session Nov. 13. Council's standing committees will review the budgets the week of Nov. 25 and the budget review committee will meet Dec. 9. Council will make a decision on the budget Dec. 11. inside today's Spotlight Sports Beaver www.insideHALTON.com 6 24 Health Classified 22 28 Freshco, Food Basics, Metro, Home Hardware, Lastman's Bad Boy, Crate and Barrel, Hoppers Pharmacy, Real Canadian Superstore, Sachi Sushi, Jashamy Group, Longo's, Summit Retail Services, Tiger Direct, Corbeil, Universal Driver, JYSK Bed & Bath, 2001 Audio Video, Sleep Country, The Bay, Ren's Feed & Supply, Longo's, No Frills, Home Outfitters, Sobeys, Fortinos, Rexall, Pharma Plus, Bouclair, Future Shop, Bath Depot, Canadian Tire, Actegy Limited, Shoppers Drug Mart, The Source, Walmart, Target, The Brick, Reliance Home Comfort, Staples, Centennial Windows Call humane society to help wildlife The Oakville & Milton Humane Society says anyone who sees sick wildlife can call the local shelter. The organization known for helping reunite families with their lost pets and adopting animals to new `forever' homes also helps local wildlife. Brenda Dushko, manager of funds development and media relations at the humane society, said the organization will always respond to such calls. On Tuesday, July 2, the humane society responded when a group of local residents found a sickly adult fox in downtown Oakville. The fox has since been transferred to the Toronto Wildlife Centre for rehabilitation and will be returned to this community when it has recovered. To contact the humane society, call 905-8451551 or visit www.oakvillemiltonhumane.ca. *All flyers not necessarily delivered to all homes For home delivery & customer service call 905-631-6095, 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington New subscriptions call 905-631-6095 or subscribe online at www.oakvillebeaver.com Alert: Your ash trees may be at risk from the Emerald Ash Borer ® TruGreen, Canada's leading lawn and tree care company, has been contracted to treat ash trees on public lands in the Town of Oakville from June through August. Ash trees in the Oakville area may be at risk from Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive pest that destroys ash trees if left untreated. Avoid the costs of removal and replacement by treating your ash trees today with help from TruGreen. Special pricing available for Oakville residents. Call or visit TruGreen online for details. 1-866-294-7962 TruGreen.ca Learn more about protecting your ash trees. Join the Oakville Canopy Club. For more information visit oakville.ca 146 Lakeshore Road West Oakville ON L6K 1E4 . Q.E.W TRAFAL KERR ST GAR RD DO 905.338.6333 STORE HOURS: AL RV DR LAKESH .W. ORE RD Monday to Sunday from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm