On January 16, 2019, Regional Council approved the Halton 2019 Budget and Business Plan. It supports essential services while investing in community infrastructure.
Based on prudent, forward-looking fiscal planning principles, the 2019 Budget aims to keep Halton’s top credit rating and strong long-term financial position.
“This Budget will help us maintain a high quality of life in the community as we prepare our strategic plan for the new term of Council,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “It ensures maximum value for taxpayers and lays the foundation for new initiatives in the near future. It also continues our 12-year track record of keeping property tax increases at or below the rate of inflation to help individuals, families and businesses succeed.”
Halton 2019 Budget Priorities
By identifying savings and reorganizing resources, the 2019 Budget increases Regional investment in priority areas previously identified by residents and Council.
Some of these increases include:
- Water and Wastewater State-of-Good-Repair Capital Program: $7.7 million to support water and wastewater infrastructure.
- Transportation State-of-Good-Repair Capital Program: $1.9 million to support Regional roads.
- Waste management: $791,000 for waste management contracts due to inflation, tonnage growth and organics market pressures.
- Road maintenance: $777,000 for road maintenance contracts, including $100,000 for three new red light cameras.
- Relief staff resources: $431,000 for more relief resources to maintain service levels in Paramedic Services and Services for Seniors.
- Regional Facilities State-of-Good-Repair Capital Program: $380,000 to maintain Regional facilities.
- Capacity to prevent and address homelessness: $305,000 to leverage Provincial funding allocated for 2019.
- Halton Region Community Investment Fund: $300,000 strategic investment to increase funding for programs that support the health, safety and well-being of Halton residents.
- Emerald Ash Borer: $272,000 to support program implementation by Conservation Halton and Credit Valley Conservation.
- Water and wastewater maintenance: $252,000 to address inflationary increases.
The Halton 2019 Budget also includes:
- 1.9 per cent property tax increase for Regional services
- 3.7 per cent rate increase for water and wastewater services
Addition Information
More information about the Halton 2019 Budget and Business Plan is on the Halton Regional Website.