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Halton Region to vote on 1.3 per cent tax increaseBy Kim Arnottclosed session for about 45 minutes before-he describes as without a doubt, the bestto Torontos social services costs. For 2011,SPECIAL TO THE BEAVERhand to discuss the salary issue.record on taxes across the country.the savings for Halton amounted to $5.8 mil-Although Burlington councillor JohnPointing to four years of near tax freezes atlion.While Haltons police officers will receive aTaylor questioned the need to discuss thethe regional level, Carr credits the philosophyAnd while this years tax hit might be light,3.1 per cent salary increase this year, theissue privately, Halton region CAO Pat Moyleof ensuring growth pays for itself throughresidents will see water and wastewater ratesremainder of the regions staff could see theirurged the move into closed session, notingdevelopment charges. He says that has paid through local hydro companies pay increases limited to 2.25 per cent.that the region will soon begin negotiatingallowed the region to almost triple theincrease by 4.1 per cent in 2011. For the aver-The regions budget committee set thecollective agreements with seven employeeamount of money it spends on transportationage household, the increase means home-upward limit on union settlements and non-groups.projects without passing along costs to tax-owners will pay $798 a year, up from $767 lastunion pay-for-performance increases onThe decision to adopt the cap on salarypayers.year.Monday, as it finalized a 2011 budget recom-increases resulted in a 0.2 per cent taxHowever, the region has also been helpedThe budget will be considered by the fullmendation that features a 1.3 per cent taxdecrease on all regional services except polic-by the phase-out of GTA pooling to contributeregional council on Wednesday (today).increase. ing. While the average taxpayer will have toI think that the public is looking for us tofork over about $20 more this year, that extrashow some leadership and keep in line withmoney will pay for additional policing costs.Have your say on Oakville tax increasethe private sector, said Halton Hills council-Earlier in the budget process, councillorsThe Town of Oakville will be holding four Tuesday, Feb. 8, from 7-8 p.m. at thelor Jane Fogal.questioned $2.4 million in wage and benefitopen houses to give residents the chance toWoodside LibraryFogal introduced the motion after theincreases that helped drive up the Haltonweigh in on the 2011 budget process. Wednesday, Feb. 9, from 7-8 p.m. at thedefeat of a similar motion from Burlingtonpolice budget by 6.9 per cent this year.Town staff are currently recommending aOakville Room in Town Hallcouncillor Jack Dennison that would haveAlthough the region has the responsibility for7.6 per cent increase to the Towns base Saturday, Feb. 12, from 2-3 p.m. at theseen pay increases capped at 1.9 per cent.collecting taxes for policing, it has no say inbudget, which would translate into a 3.32 perGlen Abbey LibraryDennison argued that the lower cap wasthe police budget, which is approved inde-cent property tax hike.For those unable to attend the publicreasonable because the region is a desirablependently by the police services board.The open houses will give residents theopen houses, written comments can be sentplace to work, and past arbitration decisionsThe most recent collective bargainingopportunity to see where exactly the pro-to Town Clerk, Town of Oakville P.O. Box 310,have often awarded pay increases in thatagreement with police spread out a 9.2 perposed 3.32 per cent increase will be spent,1125 Trafalgar Rd., Oakville, ON L6J 5A6.range.cent wage increase over three years.how the increase impacts taxpayers, whatAlternatively residents can email theirWhile the vote on capping pay increasesHowever, regional chair Gary Carr says heprograms and services may be impacted bycomments to budget2011@oakville.ca or faxtook place publicly, councillors went intois pleased with the budget and proud of whatsuggested reductions and how the towns905-815-2004.program-based budgeting works.Visit www.oakville.ca/2011budget.htm forThe open houses will take place: upcoming meeting dates, to view the budget Wednesday, Jan. 26, from 7-8 p.m. at thedocuments or for additional budget informa-Central Library Auditoriumtion. 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