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Halton Regional Council approves 2017 budget

Halton Region Building | OakvilleNews.Org
Halton Region Building | OakvilleNews.Org

On December 14, 2016, Regional Council approved the 2017 Budget and Business Plan that outlines the implementation of key priorities in the Halton Region Strategic Action Plan 2015-2018. The Budget, Halton Region’s financial plan for 2017, includes strategic investments in essential areas such as state-of-good-repair for infrastructure, affordable and assisted housing, Paramedic Services, and the Halton Region Community Investment Fund. Additional investments are also included for implementation of a Long-term Water Meter Strategy and to support the next stages of development in Regional Waterfront Master Plans.

Ensuring top value for taxpayer dollars is an integral part of Regional Council’s commitment to being a transparent, accountable and fiscally responsible government. The 2017 Budget protects the Region’s long-term financial position and financial sustainability while also making strategic investments that support a high quality of life in Halton.

The 2017 Budget meets the goal set by Council to maintain service levels in the community while making strategic investments and keeping the tax rate increase for Regional services within the rate of inflation. The 2017 Budget includes a 1.9 per cent increase in property taxes for Regional services and programs, and a 5.1 per cent increase in the water and wastewater rate.

Highlights in the 2017 Budget include:

  1. increased funding for Paramedic Service resources for the new East Milton station as part of the Paramedic Services Master Plan implementation;
  2. funding to implement new governance arrangements with the Oakville Seniors Citizen’s Residence;
  3. increased funding for non-profit organizations in Halton through the Halton Region Community Investment Fund;
  4. additional funding for the Waterfront Master Plans implementation;
  5. increased funding to provide housing subsidies for survivors of domestic violence, help prevent homelessness, and provide more assisted housing stock and rental assistance in Halton Region;
  6. adjustments to rate revenue and structure to ensure financial sustainability for investments and to promote fairness in revenue collection and water conservation; and funding for a Long-term Water Meter Strategy to accelerate water meter replacement to
  7. ensure more accurate water bills and to develop a strategy to support radio frequency reading technology in the future.

The 2017 Budget and Business Plan can be viewed online at halton.ca/budget.


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