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"Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, March 28, 2000 - 13 Committee members vow to trim tax hike From page 1 preliminary budget that could get councillors' attention, over the next few weeks. For example, the pre- liminary budget present- ed to the committee Monday morning shows net spending for general government (council and administration) up by 20 per cent; bylaw enforce- ment up by 28 per cent; grants to organizations up 7 per cent; and the roads department up just over 14 per cent. These increases are only projected in a pre- liminary budget. They do not represent the final township bud- get, which must be approved by the finance committee and the coun- cil as a whole. One area where spending has already been cut, according to the preliminary budget presented Monday morn- ing, is the operation of the Scugog Arena. Figures show a spend- ing decrease of just over 20 per cent for this year, thanks in large part to a I5 per cent rate hike for major user groups such as minor hockey, ringette and figure skating. Figures show that last year the township bud- geted $130,000 towards operation of the arena, and wound up contribut- ing just under $120,000. The preliminary budget unveiled at committee on Monday suggests the township contribution this year should be $103,929. The budget suggests Blackstock Arena receive $29,900 in operating funds from the township this year. Last year, the budget called for $23,640, but the actual amount spent was just under $34,000, according to figures presented on Monday. The finance committee is expected to meet again in the near future to fur- ther review the 2000 spending estimates. A revised budget will be - presented by staff and if the impact on property taxes remains as it is now, committee members will no doubt start cutting and slashing to reduce those estimates. Spending by local gov- ernment traditionally accounts for just over 20 per cent of all money col- lected through the tax levy. Education spending eats up nearly 60 per cent of the levy, while Durham Region gets about 25 per cent of taxes raised in Scugog. The township budget will be finalized later this spring. Departments 'share pain' as police budget is slashed Durham Region Police Chief Kevin McAlpine has slashed more than $800,000 from next year's budget. The move was made to meet requirements of Durham Regional Council and approve a budget for the 2000 year at a whopping $71.3 million. The move was approved at last Thursday's Police Services Board meeting. "We believe we can spread the pain," said Chief McAlpine. "Various individual squads and some projects will feel the pain, but we won't have to close down any current operations." While most units have been told to hold the line on spending to meet cur- rent budget requirements, police have been allowed to add to past budgets in order to meet the expected need for more officers. Chief McAlpine said that plans for the hiring of at least 20 new officers to reach staffing goals will continue as planned. None of the cuts will impact on the plans to continue the use of Air-1, the highly successful helicopter project that continues to rack up impressive arrests and assist numbers in the skies over the region. The cost of the helicopter project is budgeted at $500,000 and while ten- dering for the project is under way, board members will not discuss the plans to buy or lease the services of a permanent chopper for the service. The budget is expected to go to regional council as early as March 29 for approval. 2 oy J v MARK PUCKRIN 985-4300 . Tor. Line (505) 683-4039 Sutton Group Lifestyle Real . [Estate Limited | 26 Water St., Port Perry dining and living gom, remodeled kitchen newer furnace and windows, central air conditioning. Asking $169,900. CONTACT MARK PUCKRIN 985-4300 or boat to it. $65,000. off Simcoe St, 133'x330', $34,900. ASSORTED RURAL PROPERTIES - 125 Acres retreat property - on Beaver River near Sunderland, about 40 acres bush, balance is marshand, cabin overlooks river. Note- you cannot build a house on this property. No road access to property either: Must hike ATV Building lots - Sundertand (in town) 80'x105' $43,000. - Small rural community 15 minutes north of Port Perry, just CONTACT MARK PUCKRIN 985-4300 COLDWGELL Country Lane Realty 5 High St., Port Perry (905) 985-7351 Nh #1 basement, 80'x200' lot, t boat docking (shared with CONTACT MARK PUCKRIN 985-4300 JUST LISTED 40 ACRES = Executive Hobby Farm located north east of P ort Perr; 4 bedroom home Circa | 18 i a ------ ETE .v, PR v AT AN ML a een Ya¥aY of PR \ Ro i) ol. v0