Regional Council deliberates budget addressing current economic challenges

Halton Regional Council began its budget review process for the Region’s 2009 budget. The proposed increase in the Region’s portion of property taxes is 2.3 per cent. Key drivers for the Region’s 2009 budget include maintaining service levels, responding to the community, and investing in capital infrastructure. In addition to maintaining service levels, the 2.3 per cent increase will pay for enhanced recycling programs (including polystyrene), the creation of a youth psychiatric service, and will create 150 subsidized child care spaces. Significant investments to maintain and replace existing infrastructure, and to deliver new infrastructure to support economic development are also included.

“Council directed staff to prepare a budget that maintains service levels with a maximum tax increase of 2.6 per cent,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carrr. “Balancing requirements for service delivery with strong and prudent fiscal management, staff were able to come back to Council with a proposed budget that maintains service levels and includes a 2.3 per cent increase on the Region’s portion of property taxes.”

The key challenges for the Region’s 2009 budget are the expected increased demand for social services, public health and the infrastructure program..

In response to the current economic uncertainty, Council is considering a six month delay to fill any of the new positions included in the proposed budget. The six month delay will allow Regional Council to consider the impact of the changing economy, including impacts associated with the Provincial budget, which is expected to be delivered in March 2009.

“The proposed delay provides Regional Council with at least six months of flexibility to determine how the economic circumstances will evolve and allows Council to respond in a responsible fashion,” said Chair Carr.

“The proposed 2009 Budget and Business Plan is a multi-year financial plan which continues to incorporate the principles of strong financial management while responding to the communities’ requirement for services,” said Jane MacCaskill, Halton’s Commissioner of Corporate Services and Regional Treasurer.

The Region’s budget review process began today with budget deliberations at the Region’s Health and Social Services Committee meeting. Budget deliberations will continue on Wednesday at the Planning and Public Works Committee meeting, and on Thursday at the Administration and Finance Committee meeting. The Region’s Budget Review Committee meeting will take place on Monday, December 15, and then Halton Regional Council will deliberate the 2009 budget as a whole at their meeting on Wednesday, December 17.

Regional Chair Gary Carr would like to hear directly from Halton residents on the 2009 budget. Residents are encouraged to email the Chair directly at Gary.Carr@halton.ca.

For more information on the Region’s 2009 budget, visit the website at www.halton.ca or call 905-825-6000, toll free 1-866-4HALTON (1-866-442-5866), TTY 905-827-9833.

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