Business, Economics, Education, Entrepreneurs,
Environment, Science and Technology
|
|
|
|
____________________
Regional Budget 2008
Property tax increase of 2.72 per cent has 1.42 per cent devoted to maintaining service levels
Regional Council approved the 2008 budget Wednesday January 16, 2008.
Waterloo Region - The Region is a major provider of essential community services including helping families and children, ensuring the safety of our drinking water, getting people to the hospital under emergency conditions, ensuring the availability of affordable housing, public transit, crime prevention and the creation of safer neighbourhoods, planning for growth, maintaining infrastructure and supporting other vital community interests.
"I am pleased with this year’s budget. The 2.72 per cent increase will allow us to add resources in areas such as benefits for lower income citizens while continuing to address the growing needs of our community and provide adequate resources to our infrastructure and roads," said Tom Galloway, Regional Councillor and Chair of the Budget Committee.
The Region’s property tax increase of 2.72 per cent is a progressive budget with 1.42 per cent devoted to maintaining service levels along with 1.30 per cent for essential service improvements.
In order to meet evolving community needs, strategic priorities have been targeted. Highlights of the operating budget expansions include:
Investing in public safety, including EMS and additional police officers
Additional significant commitment to roads rehabilitation
Funding to implement the Region’s Growth Management Strategy
Expanded public transit (conventional and specialized)
Expanded Public Health programs
Enhanced tourism funding
Additional community outreach funding
Expansion of environmental programs, including energy conservation
Implementation of the Homelessness to Housing Stability Strategy
“This budget strikes a good balance,” said Mike Murray, Chief Administrative Officer. “It maintains existing services, provides important improvements to Regional programs that will keep pace with our growing community, while keeping tax increases at a reasonable level.”
Council will move forward with the implementation of the 2008 budget. The increase of 1.55 per cent for Regional Services and 1.17 per cent for Police Services will impact the average household by $36.20
|
|
|
| © Copyright 2008/Exchange Morning Post/Exchange Business Communications Inc. |
