On January 16, Regional Council approved Halton’s 2019 Budget and Business Plan, which ensures top value for taxpayer dollars as we prepare our strategic plan for this term of Council.
The Budget is based on prudent, forward-looking financial planning principles that help preserve Halton’s strong long-term financial position. It also leverages our top credit rating, which helps us finance major investments by providing continued access to the best capital financing rates available.
By identifying savings and reorganizing resources, the 2019 Budget increases Regional investment in priority areas identified by residents and Council. Some of these increases include:
- Water and Wastewater State-of-Good-Repair Capital Program: $7.7 million increase in funding to support the water and wastewater state-of-good repair capital program.
- Transportation State-of-Good-Repair Capital Program: $1.9 million increase in funding to support Regional roads.
- Paramedic Services: $827,000 to provide additional resources to address call volume pressures.
- Waste management: $791,000 for waste management contracts due to inflation, tonnage growth and organics market pressures.
- Road maintenance: $677,000 increase in road maintenance contracts to address growth in the Regional road network.
- Red Light Cameras: $100,000 for three new red light cameras in 2019, bring the total number of cameras to 20.
- Relief staff resources: $431,000 for additional relief resources to maintain service levels in Paramedic Services and Services for Seniors.
- Regional Facilities State-of-Good-Repair Capital Program: $380,000 to maintain Regional facilities.
- Halton Region Community Investment Fund: $300,000 strategic investment to increase funding for programs that support the health, safety and well-being of Halton residents.
- Emerald Ash Borer: $272,000 to support program implementation by Conservation Halton and Credit Valley Conservation.
The Budget also fulfils Council’s objective to keep property taxes low—it includes a 1.9 per cent increase for Regional services and a 3.7 per cent rate increase for water and wastewater services. It continues our 12-year track record of keeping property tax increases at or below the rate of inflation to help individuals, families and businesses succeed in Halton.
By supporting services and infrastructure to maintain a high quality of life, the 2019 Budget and Business Plan will help us keep Halton a great place to live, work, raise a family and retire. To learn more, please visit halton.ca.