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Challinor suggests axing items from budget to reduce tax hike The Canadian Champion, Friday, December 20, 2002-35 R nirn rtl * from MUNICIPAL on page 1 jobs gave the budget a $686,500 bump, while non-union compensa- tion rose $200,000 and a pay equi- ty settlement for library employees cost $241,000. The Town also lost payment in lieu of taxes for property owned by the City of Mississauga ($136,066) and Ontario Hydro ($168,891). Mindful taxpayers further reduced penalty and interest rev- enues by $150,000, as fewer indi- viduals are late paying. "The Town bas aggressively pur- sued other sources of revenue (than taxes) and has seen the benefit of assessment growth coming our way," said Jim McQueen, Town treasurer. Countering some of the added costs is the use of $750,000 in interest eamed off a loan to Milton Hydro from the Town - which is the sole stockholder. Despite these influencing factors, the majority of council supported a recommendation fro niCouncillor John Challinor to ax several items from the budget, reducing the tax increase. Among the axed items was the creation of a deputy director for community services ($66,667), Milton's annual report (reduced by $11,000), cell phones for corporate services ($10,000) and a $7,500 reduction in administrative spend- ing for the Community Fund. A sign replacement program ($10,000) was also moved from the operating budget to capital. All items removed from the budget were identified by Town staff as suitable places to cut. "I don't have a major challenge with a 2 per cent increase," said Mr. Challinor. "Would I like to make it 0 (per cent increase) and make it 10 years in a row? Sure, love to. But I don't think that's possible." Councillor Cindy Lunau spoke out against the cutting measures, suggesting the 5 per cent hike is more suitable and realistic. "I think 5 per cent is remarkable considering what other municipali- ties around us are facing," she told council. "There becomes a point where you can only become so efficient." Council also approved a $20.3 million capital budget, supported mostly through development charges and reserves. Among the major funding proj- ects are the Milton Sports Centre ($8.2 million), various rural road reconstruction projects ($2.1 mil- lion), parks development/redevel- opment ($1.6 million) and various urban road reconstruction projects ($1.6 million). Halton Region approved its por- tion of property taxes earlier this month, setting a 2 per cent increase. The Province bas yet to set the education levy portion of property taxes. Virus pretty nasty, says Stronach •from NORWALK on page 1 He sald the home for thc aged bas taken extra steps people were made more aware of it because of media in trying to minimize the spread of Uic virus, such as hype. keeping staff in one specifie area and frequent dean- "The virus is pretty nasty. It lasts 24 to 48 hours in g. the form of a stomach flu. People experience vomiting Older folks usually get over the virus fairly well but Uic ormof stmac fl. Pepleexpriece omîlng they can be a a higher risk of dehydration. Allendale or diarrhea or both. staff are really pusbing Uie fluids and using a strong "It's extremely contagious and hard to kill on the sur- Javax solution to dean surfaces. Rcally good hand face." wasing is aiso recommcnded." ONE PACKAGES 6OLES 462 5teeld COMPLETE SKAImà&Ds