The Canadian Champion, Friday, December 23, 2005 - A17 ç;mirNO)voe 1 ' oficalytrnitont ane, 2006 Budget: wwwhatoncaTransparent and 200 AcomlihmetsAccounitable 2005 ccomlishentsJoyce Savoline * Maintenance of the AAA Credit Rating REGIONAI CHAIRMAN * Opening of two new Long-Term Care Homes: Post Inn Village and Creek Way Village " Openig of Salvation Army Lightbouse which provides shelter to 25 homeless aduits and youth in Halton " Receipt of an award from the. Canadian Public Relations Society for the. communications wodc sumruading thte Simply Locai Iitiative * Receipt of the overnment Finance Offirs of America Distnuied Uudget Award Deslguiation as Top 100 lEmployer for 2005 by MadeaWs magazine " The. continuation of the Halton Physician Recniitnunt Initiv that has helpe to hdng 35 famîly doctors to Halton in the. -rgaÈ first two years *Designatoeof Acoessaooaesaà'w, dWs csi ac«cowbg te thei finddings; 0f a 4.rCNMM .urv u*qcUom 11 llse*v*pmmaof a 101ya m ermc No"ê Sav*u Maste Pla * Opu* of two MW M SWIJuisat post hm P.4hpinOdh and Cm*ekWay Vflse in b*qton *ewadm* mnu aui Cokction pramoM the GomK& demsbam puoum *W 1Wplngh Relosu Tue Iy-la A Approvin the MasterPlan for the *Appro* the TA AgdekalUwa Acdmo IM U~I+r~r~ Your Halton 1LA X Â L I I 1urj~ On Decemiber l4tlî Halton's Regional Counicil approved the 2006 Operating and Capital Budget. Tbe developînent of tbe budget is a lengtby and detailed process and 1 comimend staff for their expertise atîd diligence in putting it togetber. 1 also wish to recognize my colleagues on Counicil who engaged in bealtby public debate and raised questions wbicb is in keeping witb otîr efforts towards being a transparent and accountable governmneiî. Tbe 2006 budget includes a property tax increase of 2.6 per cent for Regiotial programns and services and a 6.0 per cent increase foi police services for an overaîl properîy tax increase of 3.6 per cent. Tbe Budget also inluLdes a 7.2 per cent rate increase for \vater and sewer tîtilities. For a ltomeowner \witb a propertv assessed ai $300,000, tbe properiy tax increase is estimated at $24.15 for Regîoîîal prograins and $24.09 for police services for an overail increase of approximately $ 48.24 per year. The combined] %vater and sewer bill will increase bv approxintately $43.62. Tîte Region's Strategîc Plan provided the basis tor detertimiing our 2006 priorîties. Tbe priorities drivîng tbe tax-supported budget include: * $65.3 million for tbe Transportation capital prograni focused on improving our regional road system, minimizing impacts on tbe environmient and encouragfng alternate metbods of transportationi; * $1.4 million to annualize tbe operating costs of Creek Way Village in Burlington, our newest long-terîn care Our 2006 Regional Budget Reflects Sound Financial Management A. Brent Marshall CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER With tbe approval of our 2006 Operating and Capital Budget, l'in pleased to I report tbat once again Halton Region lias developed a solid businîess plan tbat is financially sustainable for onîr coinunitv and delivers on tfue programs and services Halion residetits have coine to expeci aitd depend on. lu developing our budget, we looked to continiiing our tiradition of strong fiscal stewardsliip, wbic blbas been recognizef througlb tbe reaffirinatioii of oui AAA credit rating by two independent ageticies, Moody's Itvestoi, Service and Standard & Poor's Rating Services. This assessmnent is a testament to Haltonis souind financial practices and tbat of our local miunicipalities. As weil tbis year, we earned tbe Governinent Finance Officers of Ainerica Distinguisbied Budget Award for exemplary budget facility. Tbrough our long-termn care facilities, Halton now provides 572 long-term beds; and $1 .9 million for ambulance Services whicb includes implementation of the Emergency Medical Services Master Plan witb an additional 5.4 FTE paramedics for the Creek Way Village EMS station to increase service coverage from 12 to 24 hours per day. The 2006 Budget also supports the Region's continued commritment to reaching tbe provincial waste diversion target of 60 per cent through the approval of a five- year Draft Soltd Waste Management Strategy. At the conclusion of the Organics pilot project, Council will consider approval for implementing the programn Region-wide in late 2006. Reserve balances and strategies are reviewed annually during tbe budget process, to address impacts witbin tbe current year, and also in tbe context of long-term budget pressures over tbe 10-year torecast. Tbe use and balance of reserves are among tbe factors considered by credit rating agencies in reaffirming Halton's credtt rattng at AAA. As Chairman, l'in proud to bave supported tbis budget wbicb is based oti sound financial q. planning, transparency and accountabîltîv witb a focust on areas critcal 10 our restdents: public healtb, planning and public works infrastructure. and soctal and commnunity services The 2006 budget ts botb realistîc and practical, predicated on Halton's solid financial practices of upbolding the quality of life of our residents while planning for our community's future. OREYO ATNRGNMUUMRCIS preparation - furtber testament tbat our processes are well developed. Halton's portion of tbe Federal Cas Tax money was also incorporated into tbe budgeting process and will be allocated t0 strategic capital projects tbat meet tbe program criteria of sustainable municipal infrastructure. Tbe Federal Cas Tax Agreement is a cost sbaring initiative tbat will see more tban $30 million directed to Halton Region over tbe next f ive years f0 support environmental initiatives based on tbe cri teria of itnproving tîte quality of tbe environment and contributing to reduced greenbouse gas emissions, dlean water or- dean air througbi investments in public transit, water systems, wastewater systemis, solid waste, community energy systems and local roads, bridges and tunnels and or otber active transportation infrastructure. Halton's projects will include road wvidening to alleviate traffic congestion ilîrougli tbe iitplemneitatiott of bigb occupancy vebicle lanes ,ntI cvcling tacîlîties. Creating tlie annual opeiating budget andi business plan requit es diedicatiou and cominitinent of aIl irivolved. Once again Council and Regional staff bave created a fair and fiscally souind budget Iiat continues the tradition of service excellence wbile building tbe infrastructure necessary to uphold the quality of life we aIl enjoy.