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Halton Regional Council approves 2016 budget

Front of Halton Regional Building | OakvilleNews.Org
Front of Halton Regional Building | OakvilleNews.Org

On December 16, 2015, Regional Council approved the 2016 Budget and Business Plan that outlines the implementation of a number of key priorities in the Halton Region Strategic Action Plan 2015-2018. The Budget, Halton Region's financial plan for 2016, includes strategic investments in essential areas such as affordable and assisted housing, the Halton Region Community Investment Fund and state-of-good-repair for infrastructure. Additional investments are also included to support the Burlington Waterfront Master Plan, Region-wide Basement Flooding Mitigation Strategy and Paramedic Master Plan.

Regional Council and staff are committed to being a transparent, accountable and fiscally responsible government. The 2016 Budget demonstrates this commitment through strategic investments that will contribute to a high quality of life in Halton while also protecting the Region's long-term financial position and financial sustainability.

The 2016 Budget maintains service levels in the community while making strategic investments and keeping the tax rate increase for Regional services within the rate of inflation. The 2016 Budget includes a 1.9 per cent increase in property taxes for Regional services and programs. The Region has been successful in delivering an average property tax increase of zero per cent for Regional services (excluding Police) from 2007 to 2015, while maintaining or enhancing core services.

Highlights in the 2016 Budget include:

  1. Investment to begin development of a new world class, signature waterfront park in Burlington;
  2. Support for various strategic investments in Paramedic Services;
  3. Increased funding for new assisted housing opportunities;
  4. Increased support to maintain water and wastewater infrastructure in a state-of-good-repair;
  5. Funding for a new Older Adult Tax Deferral Program;
  6. Investment in the Region-wide Basement Flooding and Mitigation program to help homeowners protect their property from flooding;
  7. Increased funding for non-profit organizations in Halton through the Halton Region Community Investment Fund; and
  8. Support for an Internship and Apprenticeship Program at Halton Region.

The 2016 Budget includes a five per cent increase in the water and wastewater rate. Of the five per cent increase, 1.6 per cent will fund operating costs of water and wastewater systems to keep Halton's drinking water safe; 1.1 per cent is allocated for investment in the Basement Flooding Mitigation Program; and 2.3 per cent will be invested in treatment plants and pipeline systems.

The 2016 Budget and Business Plan can be viewed online at halton.ca/budget.


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