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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, November 14, 2012 · 14 By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Town eyes a 3.67 per cent budget hike for 2013 revealed it is looking at a $254.1 million operating budget and a $54.7 million capital budget -- $152.2 million of the $308.8 million total to come from property taxes. "We're in a very good financial position with healthy reserves and very little debt," said Oakville Mayor Rob Burton. "This budget supports our commitment to ensuring the long-term sustainability of our community." If all goes as planned, the hike taxpayers will see on their bill is less than last year's 2.93 per cent increase and the 2.79 per cent hike in 2011. It is, however, larger than the 1.61 per cent increase of 2010. The Town's 3.67 per cent budget boost is less than the 5.97 per cent forecasted earlier this year. Town staff said reduction options will now come to the budget committee in a bid to bring the increase in line with inflation. "The 2013 budget maintains the services valued by our residents. It also marks the beginning of a two-year process to review each program to ensure it is delivered in the most efficient and effective manner. We have set a target of $3 million to be achieved in reductions through these reviews. To date, $1.2 million has been identified," said Nancy Sully, Oakville's deputy treasurer and financial planning director. "The budget ensures the Town continues to operate in a fiscally sustainable manner. It ensures there is sufficient funding to maintain the town's infrastructure, provide the town's programs and services, as well as funding for infrastructure repair." Sully listed inflationary pressures, a slowdown in development, the cost of operating new Town facilities, infrastructure growth and renewal, and public demand for new facilities as factors behind the increase. The largest Town operating cost continues to be corporate revenues and expenses, which at $49.2 million, is 19.4 per cent of the budget. This is followed by emergency services ($30.6 million), infrastructure maintenance Oakville taxpayers could pay an extra $16.22 per $100,000 of assessment on 2013 property taxes -- $64.88 more per year on a home worth $400,000. That's if the anticipated 3.67 per cent hike in the Town of Oakville's base budget is approved -- and then reduced to a 1.73 per cent hike on the tax bill after being combined with a 0.8 per cent increase in Halton Region's budget and no increases (0 per cent) to education rates. The proposed increase was up for discussion Monday as the Town's 2013 Budget Committee Don't HATE your kitchen! ($28.5 million), recreational services ($27 million), and Oakville Transit (26.3 million). Some top capital projects in the budget this year include $5.5 million for road resurfacing and preservation; $4.7 million for a new maintenance and operations facility in north Oakville; $2.9 million for replacement transit buses; $2.8 million for the expansion of Oakville's road capacity; $2.5 million to battle the Emerald Ash Borer infestation; and $2.4 million for a fire station in north Oakville. "Developing a municipal budget is a complex balancing act and we're encouraging the community to help us find the right balance," said Ward 6 Town and Regional Councillor and Budget Chair Tom Adams. "We invite residents to join the more than 700 users already engaged in discussion on our Oakville Idea Forum. Share your ideas at http:// oakville.uservoice.com." The budget committee will meet throughout November and December to debate the proposed budget. The public is encouraged to get involved in the budget process by attending: · Budget presentations tomorrow (Nov. 15) and Nov. 20 · Budget open houses on Nov. 22 at Town Hall, Nov. 26 at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex, and Dec. 1 at Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre · Public delegations on Nov. 21 and Dec. 6 See Public page 23 TOM O R R OW! NOVEMBER 15TH! We have a remodeling option for every budget: Grand Opening We'd like to invite you to experience a new way to lose those unwanted inches. By combining the latest innovations in inch-loss technology with personalized physical and nutritional coaching, YOLO brings ALL the pieces together to provide REAL RESULTS & REAL CHANGE! Thursday, November 15th, 2012 6pm - 9pm 84 Lakeshore Rd W Oakville, ON L6K 1E1 ADDRESS: TIME: DATE: · ReDoor A unique Do-it-Yourself solution New doors and end panels, paint the cabinet boxes. 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