Council aims to approve 2.8% tax increase
By ALAN LICZYK
Caledon council was set to approve its 2007 budget Tuesday night with a 2.8 per cent tax increase.

Before taking a final vote, council set aside the evening to hear any comments from the public.

At its previous meeting last Tuesday, council voted 9-0 to direct staff to bring the tax increase down to 2.8 per cent by waiving the requirement for paying interest on internal debt for 2007.

Treasurer Sam Jones brought forward a $71.1-million budget which allocated $40 million to the current operational budget and $31.1 million to the capital budget. He explained the tax increase would have been 3.7 or 3.8 per cent if council paid the internal interest this year.

Mayor Marolyn Morrison praised staff for doing "an absolutely phenomenal job" on this budget.

"To bring us a realistic budget that's bare bones, you're to be commended," she said.

Councillor Richard Paterak commented he had no problem with not paying interest on the internal debt for one or two years.

"We still have money in the bank," he said. "We're in a very enviable position."

Councillor Allan Thompson, though, suggested they "don't cut off our noses here." He said they have to look at the long haul.

"I know it looks great on paper. We have to be business savvy here."

The $40-million current operational budget included $11.1 million for public works and engineering, $7.8 million for recreation and property services, $4.7 million for fire and emergency services, $4 million for corporate services, $3.5 million for planning and development, $2.2 million for the library board, $2.1 million legal services, $2 million for building and enforcement, $1.2 million for governance and administration, $790,100 for human resources and $619,100 for economic development and communications.

The $31.1-million capital budget directed $24 million to public works and engineering, $5.6 million to recreation and property services, $550,000 to fire protection/prevention, $600,000 to corporate services and $280,000 to library services.