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WHITBY FREE PRESS. WEDNESDAY, MAY 7. 1980, PAGE 3 One per oent 1m hiloe... Durham council strikes budget Durham Regional Council has raised property taxes an average of 1.4 per cent this year, however, Whitby will pay only one per cent more. At its regular meeting last Wednesday, council ap- proved a budget of $61.4 million for it.s current operations. Finance cornmittee chairman, Councillor John Aker of Oshawa and comn- mittee memnber Gerry Emm, on of Whtby's two regional counicillors are both confident that the low in- crease in taxes will not mean a reduction in ser- vices. The increase of 1.4 per cent is the result- of $693,000 in budget cuts and the receivi'ng of $490,000 in ad- ditional provincial aid. Orginally, council instrue- ted that $1 million be cut fromn the budget in order to reduce the impact on the regional taxpayer because five of the eight municipalities were hit with tax increases of between 17 and 20 per cent. However, after the provincial government prornised the region an ad- ditional $490,000 in grants, the budget cuts were reduced because the com- mittee assigned to review the cuts recommended that the $1 million in reduced ex- penditures was not needed. Because of the reduction in spending and this ad- ditional grants, no municipality will have to pay more than five per cent more in taxes. Asked whether or not there would be a reduction in services, Aker said, "I don't think so. " I guess there might be some marginal ones in somne departments," he said noting that the social ser- vices department would not be getting an additional family counsellor for Oshawa this year. "If there is a reduction in service, someone would have to point it out to me," Aker said. Ini his letter of transmittal to council Aker pointed out that the region has, since 1977, kept its spending in- creases below the level o! in- flation. Ini 1977, he said that the in- flation rate was 7.7 par cent but the percentage impact on the taxpayer was only four par cent. This year the rate of in- flation is expected to be in the area of 10 par cent, however, regional levies will only go up by 1.4 par cent. Whitby regional councillor Gerry Emm was in agreement with Aker's statement that there would be no loss of service to the taxpayer. "I don't think that there will be a drastic reduction in services," Emm said. Emm pointed out that the cutbacks were made in the areas of equipment and gave as an example the police department. While the police normally replace their vehicles eVery year, Emm said that the budget requires them to make them last for- two years. He also said that staff will not be replaced immediately after they have resigned or retired. They will only be replaced as they are needed. Also, the construction of the Manchester Works Depot will be defered until next year. "But none of these will af- fect the average taxpayer in the town," he said. ARE U TO 30% Raisins, aeIZdfut aigntdmdfut spices, es adis esd hee NATR1LFOSNoWAVAIAL REG. STORE PRICE Walnuts 6 oz. Pecans 8 oz. Alrnonds 8 oz. Coconut 16 oz. G lazed C herr ie s 16 0 z. Chocolate Chips 12 Dz. Raisins 12 oz. Dates 11lb. Peanuts 1I L OUR PR 10E 1.99 .........8oz. 1.50 3.49............ 8 Oz. 1.99 3.29............8 Oz. 1.96 2.39 ...........16 D- 199 379........... 16 Dz. 2.79 1.89 .......... 16 Dz. 1.39 1.49 .........I lb. 1.39' 1.39 .......... . 89 L59............1 b.I-09 CARMEN DISCOUNT BAKING PRODUCTS 320 Marwood Ave, Unit 3. Oshawa 579-2948 %,,HOURS: MON.- SAT. lOa.m. -5p.m. Take Wilson' Rd. South of Wentworth to Ma rwood We'r iflth indùstrial Mali Roth Emm and Aker were not overly worried about a staff report that next year's taxes could increase by as much as 20.z per cent. Aker said that the report was the staff's inter- pretation of next year's needs although he said that it is likely that either the province or local politicians will accept such a large in- crease. Admitting that this is an election year, Aker said that "4whoever they are (who are sitting on council next year) they are not going to have an impact of 20 percent.", "It would be unaccep- table" especially to the province. he said. The projection of 20 per cent was the result of a study done by regional staff at the request o! Councillor Bruce McArthur of Oshawa. The projection states that without the reduction taxes would have gone up by 15.6 par cent. However, Emm said that he was confident that the taxes would not be raised by even that amount. Although, he did say that increases consistant with inflation were probable. There would be a need for the region to spend more money next year because "6some of the things that were defered this year will have to be bought next year, " he said. v i Emm was also quick to point out that the finance committee will set down the budget guidlines for 1981 early in the fail and there is no way that increases of 20 per cent would be allowed. 'There is no way I arn saying as a politician t.hat 20 per cent is going to happen, " he said. 'mr sure we can do it without 20 per cent." Emxn said that he believed that the region will begin to streamline their operations instead of cutting back on services and stili maintain acceptable tax increases next year. III don't think you have to cut back services, you streamline," he said. This does not, however, mean that there will be no increase at the regional level next year, he said. "'You must realize that there has been virtually no increase at the region" over the past few years, Emm said adding that while there may be some next year he believes that they wilI be cons istant with inflation and not a 20 per cent increase in taxes. HeIp your Heart Fund Help your Heart Su nday, May ll th) 4 is Mot her's Day. And beca use the J' Colonel thinks that Mothers are / just the bernies, he has a veryj& special gift for them. May llth, pick up abucket or a barrel of Kentucky Fried Chicken and we'll give you a pretty pink rose pin for Mom. Ofe w hl sple at for a peach of a mom A rose pin for a peach of a Mother. Thanh you, Colonel! Kf4itock A ANAO AN COMPA 4 oColonel Sanders' boys and girls make til inger lic kin good. cm o etollo ehicken12i2Qa i2ýý e-