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Budget a balance between services and investment continued from p.1 per week. "Many municipal increases are expected to be 50 per cent higher than the Town's overall increase," said 2016 Budget Chair Councillor Tom Adams. "This recommended budget strikes a healthy balance between offering valued services and programs, making strategic investments in infrastructure and community priorities, and keeping the overall tax increase in line with inflation. "Nearly half of the Oakville portion of the increase is related to infrastructure maintenance and repair." The budget committee is recommending a $371 million combined operating and capital budget to provide a wide range of programs and services including winter road maintenance, parks and trails, harbours, transit, emergency services, recreation and culture, senior services, libraries, and to keep the town's roads and community facilities in a state of good repair. Some program enhancements recommended for 2016 include funding for year one of the Transit Service Plan, the introduction of the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system in town libraries, and increased resources to meet recreational program demands. The Budget Committee also recommended an additional $3,600 in Oakville Arts Council grant funding and $3,600 for Sport Oakville grant funding for local groups. In addition, the committee recommended cutting $83,900 in council-related costs from the proposed budget. The budget committee has also proposed a 2016-2025 capital budget and forecast of $99.4 million for 2016 and just more than $1 billion for capital requirements over the next 10 years. Some of the major projects for the 2016 capital budget include: · $7.8 million for the road resurfacing and preservation program · $7.3 million for widening Cornwall Road from Chartwell to Morrison · $4.2 million for the demolition of the existing Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital · $3.7 million for the Emerald Ash Borer Management Program · $3 million for Bridge Road improvements from Warminster to Fourth Line · $2 million for Sixteen Mile Creek West Shore Landscape Rehabilitation · $2 million for the widening of Speers Road from the Bronte GO station, west of Third Line to Fourth Line "Providing the programs and services for our residents in a fiscally sustainable manner is a key priority for Council," said Oakville Mayor Rob Burton. "Over the past several years we have worked hard at meeting this goal and as such, Oakville has become one of the best municipalities at keeping its tax increase low," said the mayor. Residents who wish to appear before Council as a delegate at the Dec. 14 meeting may register in person at the meeting, or in advance by emailing townclerk@oakville.ca or calling 905-815-6015. For those who cannot attend the meetings, they are streamed live at TownTV .ca 7 | Friday, December 11, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Winter. Water. It is more important birds have water in winter than in summer. Do you have a heated bird bath or heater? Woohoo! Northern Flicker Come and see us! open 7 Days 3350 FAIRVIEW STREET, BuRlIngTon 905-634-7700 · EmAIl: wbu1@bellnet.ca We bring people & nature together THE ALL-NEW 2016 LEXUS RX. TAKE EXCEPTION TO WINTER. WITH A HEATED STEERING WHEEL, HEATED FRONT AND REAR SEATS, PLUS DUAL-ZONE AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL AND AVAILABLE TOUCH-FREE BACK DOOR, THE STRIKINGLY REDESIGNED 2016 LEXUS RX MELTS WINTER DRIVING EXPECTATIONS. ALL-NEW 2016 RX 350 LEASE APR 3.9 %* $ LEASE PAYMENT F SPORT Series 3 shown 40 MONTHS + HST DOWN PAYMENT $3,320 699 * "Surprised by all the features, delighted by the performance." THE PURSUIT OF PERFECTION. Erin Park LEXUS 2360 Motorway Blvd. Mississauga ON L5L 1X3 | SALES: 905.828.7727 | www.erinparklexus.com ~2016 RX 350 F SPORT Series 3 shown: $70,185. *Lease offers provided through Lexus Financial Services, on approved credit. *Representative lease example based on a 2016 RX 350 sfx `A' on a 40 month term at an annual rate of 3.9% and Complete Lexus Price of $56,135. Monthly payment is $699 with $3,320 down payment or equivalent trade in, $0 security deposit and first monthly payment due at lease inception. Total lease obligation is $31,298. 60,000 kilometre allowance; charge of $0.20/km for excess kilometres. Complete Lexus Price includes freight/PDI ($2,045), EHF Tires ($29), EHF Filters ($1), A/C charge ($100), and OMVIC Fee ($10). Taxes, license, registration (if applicable), Dealer fees and insurance are extra. Lexus Dealers are free to set their own prices. Limited time offers only apply to retail customers at participating Lexus Dealers. Dealer order/trade may be required. Offers are subject to change or cancellation without notice. Offers expire at month's end unless extended or revised. See Erin Park Lexus for complete details