Halton 2021 Budget keeping taxes low amid COVID-19 pandemic

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Published December 16, 2020 at 3:52 pm

On December 16, 2020,

Halton Regional Council recently approved Halton’s 2021 Budget and Business Plan, which provides details on the Region’s investments in critical programs and services as well as their ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The 2021 Budget and Business Plan achieves our goal of investing in programs and services and keeping taxes at or below the rate of inflation,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr.

“While these strategic investments that maintain and enhance our services are critical, the COVID-19 pandemic has been an unprecedented situation that has impacted all areas of our community. This year’s Budget ensures we can continue to deliver the program and services that our residents and businesses rely on and provide the supports our community needs to stay safe and healthy throughout the pandemic.”

The 2021 Budget achieves Council’s objective to keep property tax increases at or below the rate of inflation, with a 1.5 per cent property tax increase for Regional services that when combined with a 2.5 per cent tax increase for the Halton Regional Police Service, the overall Regional property tax increase is 1.8 per cent.

Additionally, the budget includes a utility rate increase of 2.6 per cent for water and wastewater services and a commitment to continuous improvement and identify savings and efficiencies to provide value for taxpayers.

Some of the key investments include $12.3 million for additional costs in Public Health, Paramedic Services and Long-Term Care and Housing, an $8.0 million increase in transfers to support the water and wastewater state-of-good-repair capital program and $2.5 million to support the objectives, outcomes and actions identified in the Region’s 2019–2022 Strategic Business Plan.

Additionally, other investments include $1.0 million to maintain the current number of subsidized child care spaces as a result of provincial funding reductions and $500,000 to meet new and emerging community needs.

To learn more about Halton’s 2021 Budget and Business Plan, please visit halton.ca.

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