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The Canadian ChampionRiday, December 1 5 2006 - A3 Milton taxes could rise by a litie more than 2% By Melanie Hennessey CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF After two nights of deiberations, the Town's budget com- mittee managed to hammer next year's anticipated tax increase down to 2.23 per cent - less than haif of staff's rec- ommended hike. The figure means that, subject to councîl approval next week, urban residents xiii be paying an extra $25.35 in 2007 and rural homeowners, an additional $1 2.54 based on a $300,000 assessment. Duning Monday and Tuesday's budget meetings, the tax increase proposais yo-yoed romt staffs recommended 4.6 per cent, down to 3.18 per cent, then 1.23 per cent and back up to the 2.23 per cent supported by the committee. But prior to that, staff first outlined the details of next year's operating budget of more than $40 million - of which about $18 million cornes from taxes - and the $55.5-mil- lion capital budget. "This (operating) budget provides a balance of maintain- ing services and meeting the demands of growth with avail- able financiai options," said Director of Corporate Services and Treasurer Linda Leeds. She detaiied the pressures on the operating budget, like the $1 .6 million extra needed next year for staff wage adjust- menis, $817000 for additional human resources to maintain existing service levels due to growth and $23 1,000 to provide service to new roads and parks. On the capital side, Leeds sad 98 new projecis are on the honizon for 2007. 0f those, she said the Thompson Road widening from Main Street to Derry Road, încluding the rail crossing, xiii be the most expensive at $ 17.5 million. Other initiatives topping the list include the Town Hall expansion at $5.6 million, Lower Base Line road work rom Regional Road 25 to Sixth Line for $3.8 million, the purchase of four buses for the Town transit system for $1 .4 million and the new lihrary branch building for $ 1.1 million. About haîf of the capital budget is funded by development charges, whîle the remainder comes rom various sources, including Town revenues, reserves and proceeds from Slots at Mohawk. The councillors also heard from local residents Gary Ellîs and Mike Grimwood, who both felt that there are ways coun- cil could achieve a 0 per cent tax increase next year. During deliberations, Ward 3 Councillor Jan Mowbray, Ward 4 Councillor Wendy Schau and Wards 1 and 3 Councilior Barry Lee expressed concern with the reduction in Town service levels and cutbacks to staff hours that wili have to be made to keep the tax rate down for 2007. "We should keep in mnd the needs of the community, not juat the needs of the taxpayers," said Schau. Mayor Gord Krant.z once again voiced bis support for keepîng taxes oin and around the rate of inflation, which is E//4~ AUTO BODY (~4~ <ROYAL ATLANTIC) INC. approximately 2.5 per cent. Wards 2 and 4 Councillor Colin Besi said hed like to keep the hike under the inflation rate as well. Ward 2 Councillor Mike Boughton then put forward a motion to reduce the tax increase rom 4.6 per cent to 3.18 per cent. He explained he wouldnt want to go below that figure because it would mean a reduction in part-time hours for firefighters. Lee then put forward an amrendment to that motion to use reserve funds to get the increase down to 1.23 per cent, which the committee endorsed. Following that. Lunsu took issue with staffs proposaI to, make a one-time transfer of $400000 [rom tbe siots reserve fund to the legal reserve fund. She made a motion to stop the transfer [rom happening and instead get money for the legal reserve fund through a one per cent tax increase, bringing the total committee-recommended hike up to 2.23 per cent. Other items the committee supported include: - Removing $31,000 siated for pesticide byiaw public consultation consultant fees. If supported by council, this means the amount of consultation will be greatiy reduced. - Advancing the timeline for the Brookville Park project with $432,000 from the development charges reserve fund and $48,000 rom the slots reserves - Purchasing new library branch conmputer equipment with $24037 from slots reserves. Ail of the committees recommendations wiil go before town counicil Monday Melanie Hennessey can be reached at mhennessey@inilton- canadianchampion.com. 2007 Corolla cE 1498-1L95 126 hp- OÏdee./sped martra//îooo/ 's/o -A/C - //007 ,on ste,e,,C -Poie,,,,o,,o/od ,to,s eee nt o re,7oo, W .30/OK(3 0 M/08P4/7 'u2 9 c,4 9výR 1775i. S1! M MSP** I1n7.liigKM/(408874/ 'TIS THE SEASON To GET WHAT yOU REALLY WANTi 2006 Sienna cE 2007 iMatrix wm 79 ia...e ea5 The AI-New 2007 Camry LE 2007 RAV4 2007 Yaris CE HATcHBAcK 1-55Nipssig R. 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