NOVEMBER 24, 2017 FRIDAY dentistoakville.com 905-842-6030 36 pages Town eyes 3.04% hike in budget -- 1.9% on the tax bill by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff H O N O U R I N G T H E P A S T by David Lea Oakville Council Chamber due for reno worth $2.2M Oakville's Town Council voted Monday, Nov. 20 to move forward a $2.2 million plan to renovate the council chamber. The renovations, which must still be approved by the 2018 Budget Committee, would see the chamber altered, in part, to accommodate two additional councillors to be elected as a northern Oakville ward is added for the 2018 municipal election next fall. Town staff said the chamber's IT system and heating and cooling systems would also be replaced and the room would be brought up to AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with see Waste on p.3 Rob Demille, Agent 905-849-3050 www.robdemille.ca Real Local People. Real Local Service. Oakville Beaver Staff Oakville homeowners can expect a 1.94 per cent hike to their property tax bill -- if the Town's proposed budget gets approved Dec. 18. The 2018 Oakville budget committee is actually eyeing a 3.04 per cent total increase to the Town of Oakville budget. However, the 3.04 per cent increase will be reduced to a 1.9 per cent overall hike on the property tax bill once the Town's increase is combined with a proposed 1.9 per cent increase in Halton Region taxes and an expected zero per cent hike in education rates. It would still leave the Oakville budget however going up by 3.04 per cent over last year's. Town staff presented the budget committee with an overview of the proposed budget Tuesday (Nov. 21). see Town on p.10 Christmas choir Artscene A White Pines dance troupe performance was featured at the YMCA of Oakville Community Breakfast for Peace where peacemakers from the community were honoured with YMCA Peace Medals for their commitment and contributions made locally, nationally or globally. A youth, adult and group was recognized. For story, see p.11. | Riziero Vertolli/Metroland Headed to the Grey Cup Sports November 28 marks the global day of giving. Celebrating the opening day of the giving season, it's a time when charities, companies and individuals join together and rally for favourite causes. See pages 12, 13, 16, 17, 18 GivingTuesday November 28, 2017