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The region’s biggest ever capital budget was approved by the finance committee last week and goes for applfoyal l_8_. “It wen? over $1 billién, that’s huge," said Richmond Hill Mayor Dave Barrow, the region’s finance committee vice ghahpgrson. You may be wondering how this will impact your tax bill, but that picture will be clearer with the tabling of the draft operating budget, to be reviewed next week as well. That budget is finalized in March. While the region targeted 4 per cent as a high-end possible tax increase, Mr. Barrow estimated it is likely to fall between the mid- twos and highâ€"threes. The capital budget derives less than 6 per cent of its funds from the tax levy with the rest primarily coming from development charges and gmnts. In the meantime, this year’s capital budget includes $369.5 million in debt, to be paid from future tax levies, wastewater rates and. in particular, development charges. If development slows, levies collected from developers could dry up and that could mean the region needs to look, again, at how it takes on debt loans. The overall total is a marked increase from last year’s $678 million capital plan but is I due to several large, long-term projects going BRIDGES BAR 8. RESTAURANT” No on. Man mum m we do! Toflndo‘nmommmmhyoururget market and not the same great response from you: "yet distribution: It those customers. call us today! ‘Selocted areas only This year’s capital budget includes $369.5 million in debi York capital budget tops $18 BEST BUY CANADA* DELL COMPUTERS* HOME HARDWARP TELUS MOBILITY" TODAY’S HOMES* SUV-Tribune NANCY’S PIZZA* PHARMASAVP vlslt flyorland.ca Taxpayers could face 2% t0 4% tax increase in 2009 BY DAVID FLEISCHER Staff Writer THAI VILLA” KODAK* SEARS* ZEHRS” W $touf file Gutaoer ristmas 9’89’03 Gem To enter call 905.640.2612 or f .e-mail jmason@yrmg.comom SW5”â€"1'rjbune fl - forward. Wastewater projects account for the larg- est share, followed by rapid transit, which is largely funded by other levels of government. The region alSo aims to spend just more . than $100 million on road projects, including 84 capital improvements. York Regional Police have requested funds for 12 new cars and 103 replacement vehicles but their biggest project is a new $80- mil- lion building in Aurora. It would house 430 employees from all the investigative units including homicide, emergency response and a forensics lab. “This is the time we make sure all ofour expenditures are absolutely necessary," Mr. Barrow said. WHERE THE MONEY IS BEING SPENT D RAPID TRANSIT - $218.4 million Extending the Spadina subway and Viva lines along Davis Drive and Highway 7; D YORK REGION TRANSIT - $63 million Purchasing more than 50 buses and construcâ€" tion of a new garage ; b ROADS - $110.9 million; lnduding 84 active major capital projects and read rehabilitation; D WATER - $109.8 million including upgrades and a water system for Georgina. York Regan is looking at how it can help you make 8 bestome gregn _ _ When the program launched, residents were encouraged to' place organic waste in a kitchen container lined by a plastic bag, which could then be transferred to the out- side receptacle. Making best of goon bln Amorig other things, it provides a re-use for otherwise troublesome shopping bags. However, 15 per cent of the 86,000 tonnes collected from green bins last year were residuals such as plastic film, according to this week’s report of the solid waste comâ€" Providing exceptional hairstyling and services to the community for 38 years. MEN'S HAIRSTYLING 6180 Main Street, Stouffville Fame looks forward to serving both our old and new friends. Famlly Barber Shop (905) 640-3549 FAME In this time at economic uncertainty. you need to save your hard earned dollars. The best and easiest way to save lots of money is to shop for the lowest rate on your car insurance. lnsuranceiiotline.com can help you find the best price by quoting over 30 major insurance companies and arranging them by the 3 lowest rates. It's fast, ufo and FREE Annual savings shown based on actual consumer quota am and anal 133' ,v lnsuranceHotline.com cmnocm W 111d!“ Your Search Engine Ior tho Lowest lnwnnco Ram RATE COMPARISON mm HI hm Pdoc Price co Olmmnco $1.018 $1..” Stouflille Sunâ€"'I'ribune I Saturduz, Dec mittee. The bags have other side effects, including inhibiting the breakdown of some materials. While diapers can go in the bins, they become a processing problem if wrapped into too tight of a ball. Similarly, pet waste goes in the green bin but does not get digest- ed by the system if doubled bagged. Eliminating these objects would save the region money. A recommended scenario of voluntary biodegradable bag use will main- tain the existing program but reduce the residual rate by 3 per cent. The region airfis to roll out an education program next year. The Stouffville Sun-Tribune would like to partner with you and help you get the word out about your event. This is a freeservice that the Stouffville Sunâ€"Tribune is offering to it’s readers. Email event details or photos with complete information to Pam Burgess Special Events Manager at pburgesszrmg.com Your Community Newspaper 'Si’iwfii'l'ribune Rates between insurance companies can vary by 100's. even 1.0003 of dollars for the same car and driver. Look at this chan. I 3! 2008