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Public delegations scarce at budget committee By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF If Oakville residents have issues with the Town's proposed 2013 budget, they aren't bringing them before the 2013 Budget Committee. Just five delegations spoke at a public input meeting Thursday at Town Hall -- and the previous session on the morning of Nov. 21 attracted no one at all. The Town is eyeing a 3.67-per cent budget hike for 2013. If approved, it would translate into a 1.73-per cent hike on the property tax bill -- after being combined with an anticipated 0.8-per cent hike from Halton Region and no increases for education. Oakville taxpayers could pay an extra $16.22 per $100,000 of assessment on 2013 property taxes -- $64.88 more per year on a home worth $400,000. Among those who did speak Thursday was John McMullen, chair of the Association of Oakville Harbours Stakeholders (AOHS). He wanted a proposed 6.5-per cent hike to mooring rates between 2013 and 2016 revisited and asked for removal of a 25-per cent surcharge on mooring rates for tenants who do not winter a boat with the Town or an Oakville club. McMullen also said developers should have to pay toward costs of harbour dredging, a cost currently shouldered by boaters, as development can add sediment to the water upstream, which finds its way into the harbours. McMullen said tax hikes will drive away business, but Oakville Mayor Rob Burton said increases are required so taxpayers don't end up subsidizing the cost of operating the harbours. Burton noted leaders of local residents' associations have been asked about, and declined, subsidizing boating in Oakville. The mayor said there's no way to make developers pay for dredging and that it's unlikely the budget committee would revisit the proposed rate increases. Bill Smith, president and chair of the Oakville Arts Council's (OAC) Cultural Grants Review Committee asked the Town to support the Oakville arts community by continuing its annual commitment of $98,000 to the OAC's Cultural Grants Program and, if possible, to boost the amount by $40,000. The program allows the local arts and culture community to cultivate, develop and produce programs for local residents. In the past, funding from the Cultural Grants Program has assisted groups like the Oakville Camera Club, the Halton Youth Symphony, Community Arts Space, and others. "We believe that a strong arts sector helps build healthy and vibrant communities and it's clear the residents of Oakville benefit when the Town supports the arts," said Smith. "Regarding the cultural grants, we've had 20 requests from groups this year. The requests were predominantly operating requests for rents, marketing, insurance, websites, outreach programs, and equipment storage." Smith said the volunteers for these groups put in thousands of hours annually and said the Town's investment recognizes that hard work. Smith also called on the Town to bump the OAC's operating grant from $75,000 to $100,000. He said the hike would greatly assist the OAC in meeting the needs of the expanding Oakville arts community. While not quoting a number, Julia Hanna, chair of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber supports investment in economic development initiatives and projects that bring more visitors to Oakville. Hanna said the town could use more events like the Canadian Open being held here next summer. Calling for another Oakville business leaders' forum, Hanna said local businesses need more information about the potential impact of designating Downtown Oakville a Heritage District. 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