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Region budget up for public input next week Continued from page 1 3 · Friday, November 25, 2011 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com and wastewater operation as a utility and pay for the operation through rates and not the tax base. We are very slowly but surely benefiting from the uploading of certain social service costs," Moyle told councillors. "At the local level, you're in a much different situation and property taxes are by far and away the primary revenue source for you at the local level." The residential property tax bill in Halton is divided into four -- 37 per cent goes to one of four local municipalities, 25 per cent the Region, 24 per cent for education and 14 per cent to Halton police. Regional program costs are expected to increase by just over $11 million next year, but that amount is offset by a savings of $7.5M from the GTA pooling phase out (which ends in 2013) and other savings, and an increase of $3.8 million in assessment revenues. An additional $4.9 million (approximately) will be invested in social services, mainly housing and homelessness prevention, which is in line with the Citizens' Priorities Action Plan. The 2012 budget includes a three-year, $30-million plan to deliver 300 new assisted housing units and around $1.6 million in a rental assistance program that will provide 200 to 220 rent supplements. "If we can deliver 300 (assisted housing) units over three years, that will take a big bite out of our wait list," said Regional Treasurer Jane MacCaskill. The current wait time in Halton is about three years. Next year's budget also includes additional funding for waste diversion and added special waste dropoff days, an active transportation master plan and an economic development strategy to spur tourism and business growth in Halton. Infrastructure investments make up about $690 million in roads, waste and wastewater projects. The priciest project is the Mid Halton wastewater treatment plant expansion at $120 million. While council seemed pleased with the regional services portion of the budget coming in with a three-peat zero per cent increase, they were warned 2013's budget could be very different. "Economic uncertainty was a major consideration in preparing this budget," said MacCaskill. She said the Region is forecasting a nine per cent increase in demand for social services and public health. Many of these programs receive provincial funding, which accounts for 21 per cent, or $127 million of Halton's operating budget. But with the Ontario government facing a $16-billion deficit, regional staff are not sure that funding levels will remain the same. When MacCaskill presented council with a budget review in July, a 2.25 per cent increase in property assessment was expected, but it has since dropped to 1.75 per cent. Burlington councillors John Taylor and Jack Dennison raised concerns about the water and wastewater rates. The 3.5 per cent increase is lower than the 5.1 per cent increase that was previously forecasted, but Taylor said with rate increases expected to hover around the five per cent range, Halton families will see their water bill nearly double over the next 10 years. The budget will be further discussed at three regional meetings the week of Nov. 27, when the public is invited to make delegations or submit letters, and will go before the budget review committee Dec. 12. DENTISTRY FOR CHILDREN means... eassuring appointments geared to your child's selff esteem and confidenc ... THE WHOLE CHILD FIRST Conservative treatment of dental cav a ities. Bottle cav a ities treatment and oral habits management. ...A NON TRA RAUMAT A IC EXPERIENCE. ... WHEN, WHY AND HOW **************** **************** **************** T pical fluorides and preventive fissure sealants To ... A CAV A ITYY FREE GENERA RATION Guidance of the emerging teeth with early interceptive orthodontics ... HELPING FA F CES GROW Certified Specialist in Paediatric Dentistry DR KENNETH HUNE LUXURY. FASHION. SERVICE. www.hunekayedental.com HUNE KAYE DENTAL GROUP 1540 North Service Rd. West. 3rd. Line & QEW (Tim Hortons Plaza) Oakville, Ontario, L6M4A1 NEW FAMILIES WELCOME 905-844-0872 200 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville · 905.842.0232 · www.burrowsclothiers.com ent Excell e servic since 1993 NEW PROGRAMS STARTING Dec. 3 & 10 Nov. 28 4 DAY A CONDENSED EVENING: WEEKEND: DR RIV VIN ING IS A PR PRIV IV IVIL VIL ILEG LEG GE, E LE LET US HE H LP YO OU EA EARN R IT T 407 Speers Road Suite 21 13 3 Valid for defensive driving programs only Dec. 27-30 Save $50 905-825-1172