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Unanimously Approved: 2018 Budget Committee propose a 1.75% overall tax increase

Efficient and affordable 2018 Budget Committee | Foter.com
Efficient and affordable 2018 Budget Committee | Foter.com

Oakville Town Council has unanimously approved the town’s operating and capital budgets presented by the 2018 Budget Committee.

Achieving Council’s direction to keep the overall property tax increase in line with inflation, Oakville’s 2018 Budget Committee is recommending a 2.58 per cent increase to the town’s portion of the tax bill, for an overall property tax increase of 1.75 per cent when the expected regional and educational tax levies are included.

The proposed increase means that residential property taxes would increase by $13.98 per $100,000 of assessment meaning that the owner of a home assessed at $800,000 would pay an additional $111.84 per year or $2.15 per week. The proposed budget will go forward to Council for approval at its December 18 meeting.

For 2018, staff recommended a $323.6 million operating budget to provide a wide range of programs and services including the maintenance of roads and community facilities, fire services, transit, parks and trails, recreation and culture, senior services, and libraries, along with a variety of other valued services. Program enhancements recommended for 2018 include funding for the opening of the new Trafalgar Park Community Centre (Oakville Arena redevelopment) in fall 2018, expansion of enforcement hours for by-law services, and an additional $25,000 increase for the Oakville Arts Council Grant Program.

For 2018, the recommended capital budget sees $129.1 million of funding to support transportation, traffic safety measures, infrastructure renewal and other elements related to growth. The committee recommended new funding of $204,000 to install flashing 40 km/h signage in school zones, $200,000 for pedestrian safety initiatives and education and $205,000 for the Gypsy Moth Spraying Program.

2018 Budget Committee's recommended capital projects include:

  1. Completion of the Trafalgar Park Revitalization Project – $21.1 million
  2. Start of construction on the South East Community Centre (as part of the Former Hospital Site Project) – $10.8 million
  3. Road Resurfacing and Preservation Program – $9.6 million (the largest road resurfacing and preservation program in Oakville’s history)
  4. Reconstruction of Speers Road – GO Station west of Third Line to Fourth Line – $7.1 million
  5. Reconstruction of Sixth Line – Threshing Mill Road to Dundas Street – $4.9 million
  6. Bronte Outer Harbour Dockage – $3.9 million
  7. Emerald Ash Borer Management Program – $3.7 million
  8. Replacement buses – $2.7 million
  9. New fire station – $2.7 million
  10. New library branch – $2.6 million

Throughout the budget process, which began on November 21, 2017, the 2018 Budget Committee welcomed feedback from residents, local businesses and community partners. Public consultation impacted the 2018 Budget Committee recommendation to approve $77,000 for a bocce ball court at Glenashton Park, $40,000 in one-time funding for the Backyard Tree Planting Program in partnership with Oakvillegreen and additional traffic safety measures.

During Tuesday’s deliberations, Councillor Adams noted that the committee’s recommended 1.75 per cent overall property tax increase for 2018 is likely to be the lowest among GTHA municipalities, while the town has had the lowest overall tax increase for the last four years when compared to neighbouring municipalities Burlington, Mississauga and Milton.

The final recommended budget will go forward to Council for approval on December 18, 2017 at 7 p.m. Join the meeting in person in Council Chamber at Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Road. Residents who wish to appear before Council as a delegate may register in person at the meeting, or in advance by emailing [email protected] or by calling 905-815-6015. For those who cannot attend the meeting, live coverage will be available on the town’s YouTube channel.