On December 11, 2019, Regional Council approved Halton’s 2020 Budget and Business Plan, which supports essential services while making strategic investments to build healthy, complete communities.
“Investing for today and tomorrow helps maintain a high quality of life in Halton, which is supported by essential Regional programs and services,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “The Budget outlines how we are continuing our strong record of keeping property tax increases low while investing in programs that help residents and businesses succeed in our community.”
The 2020 Budget fulfills Council’s objective to keep property tax increases at or below the rate of inflation, with a 1.7 per cent property tax increase for Regional services. When combined with Halton Regional Police Service’s 2.5 per cent tax increase, the overall Regional property tax increase is 2.0 per cent. In keeping with Halton’s fiscally responsible approach to financial planning, the budget identifies savings and efficiencies that mitigated the impact of Provincial subsidy funding changes to the taxpayer. The Budget also includes a utility rate increase of 3.3 per cent for water and wastewater services.
The chart below provides the history of property tax increases for Regional services in Halton for the last 10 years. The Region has been successful in delivering an average property tax increase of 0.9 per cent for Regional services from 2010 to 2019 while maintaining or enhancing core services.
The 2020 Budget maintains service levels and provides Regional investment in priority areas outlined in the 2019–2022 Strategic Business Plan (PDF file). Some of these investments include:
- Water and Wastewater Infrastructure: $7.3 million to support the water and wastewater state-of-good-repair capital program.
- Road Operations: $1.9 million to address roads state-of-good-repair, resurfacing and maintenance, as well as operation of the Regional Advanced Traffic Management System.
- Services for Seniors: $1.5 million to maintain service levels and strengthen resident care.
- Waste Management: $1.3 million to address cost and market pressures, tonnage growth and operation of the expanded Container Station services at the Halton Waste Management Site.
- Burlington Beach Waterfront Master Plan: $1.2 million to support land acquisition.
- Paramedic Services: $1.0 million to address call volume increases and maintain existing service levels.
- Employment & Social Services: $0.6 million to strengthen delivery of the Ontario Works program.
- Halton Region Community Investment Fund: $0.3 million to increase funding for programs that support the health, safety and well-being of Halton residents.
To learn more about Halton Region’s 2020 Budget and Business Plan, visit halton.ca.
The Regional Municipality of Halton serves more than 580,000 residents in the City of Burlington, the Town of Halton Hills, the Town of Milton, and the Town of Oakville. Halton Region is committed to meeting the needs of its residents through the delivery of cost-effective, quality programs and services, including water and wastewater; Regional roads and planning; paramedic services; waste management; public health; social assistance; children’s and seniors’ services; housing services; heritage programs; emergency management and economic development. For more information, call 311 or visit Halton Region’s website at halton.ca.