The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

19 | Thursday, January 7, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Halton Highlights 2016 2016 Budget and Business Plan invests in key infrastructure On December 16, 2015, Regional Council approved the 2016 Budget and Business Plan which establishes the financial plan required to implement a number of key priorities in the Halton Region Strategic Action Plan 2015-2018. The Budget includes strategic investments in a number of areas including affordable and assisted housing, the Halton Region Community Investment Fund and state-of-good-repair for infrastructure. Halton Region is committed to being a transparent, accountable and fiscally responsible government. The development of the Budget supports the Region to maintain service levels in the community while making strategic investments and keeping the tax rate increase for Regional services within the rate of inflation. This budget includes a 1.9 per cent increase in property taxes for Regional services and programs, and a five per cent increase for the water and wastewater rate. Gary Carr, Regional Chair January Keeping you informed by highlighting what makes Halton a great place to live. Highlights in the 2016 Budget include: · Investment to begin development of a new world class, signature waterfront park in Burlington; · Support for various strategic investments in Paramedic Services; · Increased funding for new assisted housing opportunities; · Increased support to maintain water and wastewater infrastructure in a state-of-good-repair; · Funding for a new Older Adult Tax Deferral Program; · Investment in the Region-wide Basement Flooding and Mitigation program to help homeowners protect their property from flooding; · Increased funding for non-profit organizations in Halton through the Halton Region Community Investment Fund; and · Support for an Internship and Apprenticeship Program at Halton Region. Visit halton.ca/budget to learn more. Choose Halton as your winter fun destination Start the New Year off right by getting active and having fun in Halton. If you are looking for activities and adventures to enjoy this winter ­ look no further. Halton is the place for skiing, snow-shoeing, tubing, hiking and outdoor skating. If cold weather activities aren't for you, attend a show at one of our great performing arts venues or shop the unique stores in our Local Municipalities. Halton has it all for you to enjoy. Choose Halton to visit. We have an array of indoor and outdoor activities to take part in, so invite your friends and family to join you for some great Halton fun! For more information about what to see and do in the region, visit halton.ca/tourism or dial 311. Halton employment programs and services support job-seekers Are you looking for a job or a different career? Employment Halton offers services in Oakville and Milton to support Halton residents seeking new work opportunities. We provide a number of free services including access to job postings, training, and assistance with your job/career search as well as job fairs that connect you directly with local employers. Halton youth ages 15-29 can also obtain employment supports through Youth Job Connection. This program is for youth who are unemployed and not in full-time school or training. Participants receive the essential skills, training and experience needed to be successful. Supports include: · · · · career counselling paid training job placement support and mentoring résumé writing and interview practice after-school job opportunities to high school students ages 15 to 18. To qualify, students must demonstrate the need for support in transitioning between school and work due to challenging life circumstances. Visit halton.ca/employmenthalton or dial 311 for more information. Meetings at Halton Region 1151 Bronte Rd., Oakville, L6M 3L1 Visit halton.ca/meetings for full schedule. Jan. 20 9:30 a.m. Regional Council Please contact us as soon as possible if you have any accessibility needs at Halton Region events or meetings. This page has been donated by this newspaper to communicate important information to Halton residents at no cost to taxpayers. Registration for the program resumes in February. This year, the program will also offer summer, part-time and