Counciliors approve 5.3 per cent tax hike for 2017 By Melanie Hennessey CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF After two nights of debate and hours of painsâ€" takingly combing through potential budget cuts, Milton counciliors have endorsed the Town‘s $249â€"million budget and resulting 5.3 per cent tax increase for next year. The figures were approved by the Milton Budâ€" get Committee, comprised of all members of council, on Tuesday evening, in a 7â€"3 vote. Mayor Gord Krantz and counciliors Mike Cluâ€" ett and Colin Best were opposed. When the tax increase is combined with the phase out of the urban tax levy â€" which will see rural residents paying taxes at the same rate as urban Miltonians by next yearâ€" it means urban residents will be dishing out $11.14 more per $100,000 of assessment in 2017, while rural residents will be hit with a hike of $25.61 per $100,000 of assessment. The higher numbers for rural Miltonians didn‘t sit well with a couple of counciliors or the ruâ€" ral residents in attendance, like Olga Shewâ€" chun, who urged council to implement tax credits for rural residents to compensate for Town services not provided in the rural area. "This lack of services while paying the same tax rate as in the urban area is unfair and unâ€" just, and council can do something about it," she said. "I hope council gives serious considâ€" eration to this (tax credits) in order to restore the faith and trust that rural residents have lost with the urban services area tax transfer." She also expressed concern with staff‘s recâ€" ommendation for a seven per cent tax inâ€" crease, suggesting council should‘ve providâ€" ed direction to keep the increase around the rate of inflation. Krantz echoed Shewchun‘s sentiments and made his annual call to keep the tax increase around the rate of inflation. "I‘m certainly not in favour of a seven per cent increase," he said, suggesting that Milton would be the "laughingstock" of the GTA if it were to approve such a tax hike. "Three or four per cent I could‘ve lived with. But every one of us should go down to defeat if we support anywhere near that seven per cent." But local resident Marshall {Jorner took exâ€" ception to the notion of inflationâ€"based tax increases, pointing out that neighbouring@® SO%OFF ONE YEAR MEMBERSHIP Offer expires 12/15/2016 *New Members only No cash value. Access card fee, other fees and some restrictions may m.muumtmuvuamm © 2016 Snap Fitness, Inc. MILTON 1030 Kennedy Circle 905â€"875â€"2545 snaplfitness.com/miltonon Thompson and Kennedy Circle | | magh Heritage Conservation District Study Public Engagement Session is GUARANTEED ON NOW FOR A LIMITED TIME woa"uojjeyapiSUl"MMM | NOIdWVHI NVIGVNYVI NOLTIMW | atoz ‘g 12qwuasag Aepsiny} | g VEHICLES TO CHOOSE FROM ON ALL [H THE PURCHASE OF A VEMCILE DURING THE YEAR END CELL BRATIQN THE GORRUD‘S PEACE OF MIND GUARANTEE TAKE THE RISK OUT OF PURCHASING A PREâ€"OWNED VEHICLE PRICE GUARANTEED GUARANTIEE MECHANICAL LONG TERM GUARANTEED GUARANTEED ()( t 10 00OK M 7 ToX )C OMA \‘\\\\( Please come and share your ideas for the future of Omagh. For further information contact: Anne Fisher at 905â€"878â€"7252 ext. 2565 or anne.fisher@milton.ca Wednesday, December 14 6:30 pm â€" 8:30 pm Presentation at 7:00 pm Omagh Church of Christ 9850 Britannia Road Ca 905â€"875â€"CARS (2277) www.gorruds.com 410 STEELES AVENUE EAST, MILTON ON 0000 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! MONâ€"THURS: JAMâ€"9PM FRI; SAT: PAMâ€"SPM SUN: 12PMâ€"SPM M