Region seeking 0% tax increase in next budget Acclaimed Car- says flot having to campaign gave him time to work on budget By Christina Commisso CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF The Region is on a roll. For thc second consecuti'e ycar - a ycar that saw some of the highest capital expcndi- turc on infrastructure - Halton is looking at a zero per cent tax increase for 2011. While the announcement will formally bc made during the December inaugural meet- ing of council, that cat was let out of the bag early when outgoing Burlington Mavor Camn Jackson mentioned the tax freeze during a committee meeting last week. Regional Chair Gary Carr, who was acclaimeci earfv September, said not havtng tu tamnpaign dur tng the eletiton gave bonii tlie lume needed to hash out a zero per cent budget with staff. "At the budget direction meeting lastJuly, council asked staff to corne in at zero to threc per cent (increase). When 1 was acclaimed, 1 immediately went back with Pat (Moyie), our CAO, and our treasurer and began put- ting something together." While the budget won't be presenited to counicif for approvaf untif the new ycar, C arr '.att belIl be retorinending lreczng taxecs foi Recgiol prograins and sersites. Nleanin1g, il approved, the 2010 trend 55 iII continue antd ibere will lie no increasc nex\t s cai in piopet- ty taxes foi regional whet X't.es 55k b tnt nd poic te, ambulante atnd t egion.il t oadsý But tht fortmer piro btksplas er asslie wvasnt enittrely sure the f reeze-streaýk 55oLId continue. lie Region s 20 10 budget foret ast- etl a 2.6 per cetnt hike l'or 201f. L-ast vear a lot nI touIntîllors said,\el we're doing nt tbts Nsear, but next year 5ve svill bave to hegin increases. Bt ws were ale tu do il," sard C arr, addtng, "1Tbis year was the second fargest tapital expecndittire for roads, wastewater and water." Carr said the special ingredient tn zero per cent budget was des'elopmnent charges. V're miaktng (des'elopcrs) pay for the full cosi of growth. We're ablc to alfoss tax paycrs tii have a irecze, \vhile aIl of our nics inlrast rt iure, our tc% roaits antd oui- LiIîgrlesC ,îrC beuîlig p[M i lis tIsh\ pm charges. Ile contrnued, Ifs somecthîng new to the Region of Ilalton, it's never biapplecl before," referrinig to tht' crittre cost of new growsth betng pattl for tbrough des clopinenit charges. Regional tounictl wtll resumei tht' butdget revicis prîîtess tn Januars. C /uuuuna C iotOtîssî(a c ' ti i'd (ii AEV DIffUER! ST Stipe Prim Ri ;A 5 î0 tnsesîCom of i o ir aearSaad& eaoo CowerAAA NY Sirpln and Simrps I. APrmeRti set..& tc oe 3EC ! lRE! PeenEatShrmp SgnatureChîcken ppeack & ret i i ~Ail dinners nc/ode soup do oro ioroso deatad aodi ouoemdi dessert. ww .ohwin.o Corne visit Or thotics 1 ÈL Ieo rl, ï Orthiotcs are custommadesldom deil lh atde ock quahified staff can create a attion odilaIi for ynouW Uscnt he* JJ.~5 ~ ~ ,~_ ~ jgj ~ aLeinte foot~ Ianee hmp and bac pull. e*o ca"rymusof the best brand nantesinfootwer and coril ow.- Wo.'s "ua Mins Wod Bout .9,otingnp OCtiosem qbhflgtOandesotie pooides exellenrt sole coit ruction improve traction ont Ky sioaces fleoàio slip resstance, www.mtltonorthoticwetf ~~~n scom (n>r.ajeA Thosoo d 1