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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, July 23, 2015 | 14 Region likely to boost taxes and water rates on 2016 tax bill by Bob Mitchell Oakville Beaver Staff Halton Regional Council is projecting a 1.9 per cent property tax increase for its services for 2016. Although nothing is carved in stone until approved Dec. 16, the budget direction approved by Regional Council earlier this month, provides calculated steps towards keeping the Region's tax hike at or below inflation. If nothing changes, it means an increase of $3.80 per $100,000 worth of assessment -- or $15.20 more for a home worth $400,000. When you combine the projected Regional increase with the projected HaltonRegional Police budget, it means homeowners will pay an additional $7.40 per $100,000 worth of assessment or $29.60 more than they paid this year for the average $400,000 residence. Add water rate increases and a proposed surcharge to pay for basement flooding pro- Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr SEXUAL ASSAULT & VIOLENCE INTERVENTION SERVICES (SAVIS) OF HALTON · Free anti-violence presentations to businesses/associations/schools · Free confidential counselling · Free 24-hour support line - anyone may call: 905.875.1555 If you are interested in joining our Board of Directors please contact Ruth Perkins at boardofdirectors@savisofhalton.org 905.825.3622 · Toll free: 877.268.8416 · www.savisofhalton.org grams and the average homeowner with property worth $400,000 could pay $110 more on their Regional property tax tab in 2016. But remember, there's more to come because you still have to pay your portion of education and city/town taxes before you determine how much more you'll have to hand over in taxes in 2016. "Over the past nine years, the Regional tax increase has been at or below the rate of inflation and in fact it has been close to zero," Regional Finance Commissioner and Treasurer Mark Scinocca told budget committee members. "The guidelines are based on the existing level of services with some identified enhancements... The budget has been prepared to support Halton's Strategic Action Plan that makes this a great place to live. "Maintaining a AAA credit rating over the past 24 years is a testament to Halton's strong financial position. It provides (Halton) with the best possible capital financing rates and maintains the long-term capital financing costs." Projected increases for water and wastewater will mean homeowners will also pay $42 more for using an average of 250 cubic metres per year. As well, Council will be asked in December to approve a special surcharge of between $25 to $38 per year -- for each of the next 10 years -- to fund the nearly $90 million needed maintain and fix the problems that caused last summer's basement flooding. The Region will spend $9.1 million in 2015 for the disconnection of downspouts and weeping tiles -- the No. 1 culprit for the basement and street flooding. In approving the budget direction, Regional Chair Gary Carr said it presents a "transparent and cost-effective" business plan for the coming year. "Under these guidelines, the 2016 Budget will preserve our strong long-term financial position and AAA credit rating while keeping taxes low," Carr said in a news release issued after Regional Council's meeting on July 15. "It is the first step in drafting a budget that promotes a high quality of life for everyone in Halton." Scinocca said the provincial growth plan has also imposed financial challenges on Halton. "But Council is committed to support the planned growth while maintaining the objective of protecting ratepayers from the impact of financing growth an infrastructure," Scinocca said. Budget guidelines can be viewed Halton Region Strategic Action Plan 2015-2018: Shaping Halton's Future. Money in the budget, includes funding for numerous programs such as investment in transportation and the state-of-good-repair capital program for Regional roads; the implesee Region on p.26 905.338.5721 Auto Servi ce · Scheduled Maintenance · Fuel Injection · Computer Diagnostics · Transmission & Clutches Accredited Test · Front & Rear End Work & Repair Facility · Electrical · Windshield Repair/Replacement · Shocks & Struts QEW · Air-Conditioning · Brakes Wyecroft · Tune-Ups JNB · Engines · Tires · Wheel Alignments · Oil & Fluid Changes Weller Ct. Insurance Claims Collision Repair Auto Body & Paint Auto Body ruS A uSed 0c d 0 An p From $2,0 www.jnbautocenter.com BULK MULCH, SOIL, SAND, COMPOST, INTERLOCK, STEPS, AGGREGATES, ARMOUR STONE, JUMBO FLAGSTONE, PIZZA OVEN, FIRE PITS AND MORE!! WE SELL ..... Dorval Dr. WE DELIVER!! 4th Line QEW 450 Wyecroft Rd., Unit 4 Monday-Friday 8-5 Saturday 8-1 landscapeelements.ca Dorval 294 Wyecroft Rd., Oakville Get Your Rocks Off Us! 905-337-7625