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NEWS Golfers tee off for charity Page 18 SPORTS Milton hoopster miakes Ontario teany Page 24 1 ARTS & ENEI4iý1- Local churches putting on evening concert Page 12 AuoGls Weekend tW Auto Accessories EM I Upoitey eairs 1WI WîndshÎeÎd RepairsI ' I t M1MAIN ST. #1 & 2, ITN876-4785 &e -oit8 A METROLAND COMMUN ITY NEWSPAPER VOL.145 NO.36 FRIDAY JULY 16,2004 $1.00 <GSTincluded) 3 PAGES "Usýing Communication to Budld Better Communities" -Cooling off Eight-year-old Cody Franke cools off under the jets of the new water works at the Rotary Park Outdoor Pool this week, beating the stifling heat and humidity. The pool wiII officially open tomor- row. Get more details on the celebration in Dateline on page 19. Photo by GRAHAM PAINE ,Looks like taxes on the rise again By MELANIE HENNESSEY The Champion Halton residents could see a $45.30 tax increase and a $46 hike in their water and waste water bis next year. These are the tentative numbhers the Region's fanancial gurus are predicting l'or 2(X)5, as a resuit of a projected 4.2 per cent tax hike and 9.2 per cent mecrease an water and waste water rates. Council reviewed a report Wednesday from Halton Commissioner of Corporate Services and Regional Treasurer Jane MacCaskill that lists somne of the financial challenges the Region will face next year, thus leading to a tax hike. The amount taxes will go up ultimately depends on the Halton Region Police Service budget, which hasn't been finaliLed yet. The report prediets the police budget could go up by 8.4 per centi nexi year. nlîich ssould make up $26.71)of' the tax increase for tlhe average hotme- owner based on a i S?50(XX) aswessient. 'he other pai tht contrihutes, to the increase s the tas suppooced base budget. Counticil ppros cd tfiat thîs budget bc prcpared on tlîe basis of' a 1.J per cent tax increase, not iii e.ceed 2.4 per cetnt, or $ 18.60. With the predicted increases in ite police aaîd tax budgets. this would mean an overaîl tas rate bîke (if 4.2 per cetnt, or $45.311. Burlington Councîllor Mike Wallace saif he's comfortable with the 1.5 per cciit increase. "As long as the increase cornes in under infla- tion .'Il bc satisl'icd.' he said. The water and isasie water rate-supported base budget sstll have a 6.5 per ccent rate irîcrease. ssith a ceiling ol 8.2 per cceii. BasecI on an average con- sumrption otf30(1 cubie metres. thisý would tack an extra $46 ont(i xour bill. Mlilton Mayor G3ord Krantt. Burlîngton Conîteillor J ack [)ennhson anid )a.ksil le Councillor AIlian Elgar opposed tfîe nater andl . aste water liike. Mr. Dentiisoit said the budget needs to bc revieved. l(i(king for cosi reductions. -We have tos ork harder on it to spread tliat increase f urher down the liie he said. Mr. Wallace told bis fellosv counicillors t(i niake sorne suggestionts on the budget and have a debate. I want Ii stts'uie action from peoiple. însîead ufjusî chatting,- he said. Ms MacCaskill's report explaaned why there has been and continues to be hikes in water and sxaste water raies. see SOME on page 4 r* Inside Comment .........6-7 Dateline ..........19 Real Estate ........ 21 Classif ied .......30-33 FRIDAY> JULY 16. tiou Da at. eiaiiob te , aioe *CWon - Del Compubes - Soiieys - Acion Soheys iiB y *Zeitom.PSeors - Hom e Doai-A&P *SELECTED AREAS ONLY www.miltontoyota.com - ~~1 5$ 1