Region’s budget allows Town to maintain 3.9 per cent hike

Peel Regional council recently passed a 2010 budget that calls for a 1.9 per cent tax increase.

For Caledon residents, that’s going to mean an overall increase of 3.9 per cent, as was approved in the Town’s budget in December.

At the time Town councillors approved their budget, it was agreed that the overall increase would be at that level, with any extra funds realized going toward capital fund reserves.

The overall tax impact will amount to an increase of about $150 for the average Caledon household.

The 2010 Regional budget was approved at $1.6 billion for operations and $527.6 million for capital projects, and an increase of roughly $32 for the average Peel household (for the Regional component of the tax bill), as well as a utility rate increase of five per cent or $21 to the average household for water and wastewater services.

Regional council priorities include using 0.4 per cent of the 1.9 per cent tax rate increase for Regionallycontrolled programs; 1.3 per cent for police services; and 0.2 per cent for the Conservation Authorities.

“This has been a particularly difficult year for our Peel community due to the impacts of recession on families and businesses and the threat of an H1N1 outbreak,” said Regional Chair Emil Kolb. “Early in the budget process, we determined that we needed to ensure those most vulnerable continue to get the services they require, while ensuring our 2010 budget was responsive to the economic environment and our taxpayers.”

Caledon representatives on regional council were generally satisfied with the way things turned out.

Councillor Allan Thompson pointed out it included a two per cent salary hike for non-unions employees (the same as the union members), but councillors and seniors staff are seeing their pay frozen this year.

“I think it’s fair,” he remarked.

“It’s a responsible budget,” commented Councillor Richard Whitehead.

He pointed out the Region is a utility provider, and considering the growth pressures and the economic strain brought on by the recession, the utilities have to work. He added one of the factors driving up the budget was the percentage of it that has to go toward energy and gas.

“It provides the services that we need in the Region of Peel,” commented Mayor Marolyn Morrison.

She also pointed to the need to help vulnerable people, especially in a recession. “In my mind, we’re all responsible for each other,” she said.

“The increase is very good, considering all the services the Region of Peel provides,” remarked Councillor Annette Groves. She added it would have been nice to keep the increase at zero, given the economy, but that wasn’t possible.

There had been thoughts of adding another one per cent to the regional increase to augment the capital fund, but that idea was dropped, against the wishes of Councillor Richard Paterak.

“Both levels of government are going to need lots and lots of money in the future,” he observed.

Beyond that, he said he was fine with the budget.

“Staff did their level best, considering the amount of growth we had,” he commented.

More residents have been relying on services provided by the Region.

The 2009 monthly average caseload for Ontario Works was up 28.5 per cent over the 2008 average, meaning an additional 2,845 individuals or families are receiving income support and employment services.

Over the past 18 months, the Region has seen a substantial decline in revenues in a number of areas including waste commodity prices, and residential and commercial water consumption.

“Throughout the year, Regional council made decisions regarding programs and policies to maintain the overall well being and prosperity of our Peel community,” said Whitehead, who is also chair of the management sub-committee of the general committee of Regional council. “We see with this budget, that every effort was made to support our direction, while keeping the impacts to our taxpayers top of mind.”

The budget provides for the maintenance of programs at the 2009 service level as well as a few priority service enhancements: • Increase paramedic service hours by 12,775 to provide service to the growing Peel population and help reduce the time it takes for paramedics to arrive at a 9-1-1 emergency; • Individuals with disabilities will have fewer travel barriers to actively participate in the community as 33,000 more accessible transportation trips will be offered; • Families living in neighbourhoods identified as having high needs will benefit from funding directed to youth and child-focused programs, such as summer day camps, literacy and learning programs, and after school activities; • 14,600 families and individuals will be able to receive social assistance and job supports; • 1,000 more low income seniors will benefit from urgent dental treatment; • 25 additional families and housing providers will receive support for assisted housing; • 2,650 working families with low income will have more money for family necessities after the elimination of child care co-payment fees; • Ability to prevent disease outbreaks, obesity and diabetes, and increase the number of public health inspections will be enhanced • Maintain the state of good repair of Regional roads and facilities; • One additional full-time OPP officer for a new high school in Bolton and parttime /special constable court staffing allowing for the redeployment of two fulltime OPP officers; • Additional investment in conservation authorities to address flood control and climate change.

“With 12,775 hours added to our Peel Regional Paramedic Services, we can ensure that when anyone in Peel needs medical treatment in an emergency situation, our paramedics will be there to provide exceptional prehospital care,” commented Groves, who chairs the health services committee of Regional council. “Our residents can enjoy a better quality of life using Peel Public Health programs, Long Term Care and Peel Regional Paramedic Services.”