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in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, Ju ly 29 ,2 02 1 | 2 Experience Ontario all over again. There's so much to rediscover in Ontario. From endless parks and trails to bustling cities and local businesses. Let's get back to exploring Ontario. Get started today at destinationontario.com While the pandemic continues to create financial challenges for municipalities, Oakville resi- dents -- and those across the re- gion -- can anticipate a tradition- al tax increase next year. Regional council approved the 2022 budget directions at its July 14 meeting that specify staff should prepare the document based on a tax increase at or be- low the rate of inflation of two per cent. This would equate to an addi- tional $5 per $100,000 of the as- sessed value of your home -- $3 for regional services, and $2 for police services. So if your home is currently assessed at $500,000, this would be a $25 tax increase on the re- gional portion of your bill. In light of the uncertainties around things like the duration of the pandemic, staff will pre- pare the 2022 budget using a "con- servative approach," says a re- port from Halton commissioner of finance and regional treasurer Keshwer Patel. "Staff will continue to monitor the impacts of COVID-19 and the projected recovery plan, and will identify pressures that are antici- pated to extend to 2022," she said. "There will be continued focus on core services, continuous im- provement and finding cost effi- ciencies in all program areas to achieve the targets set." Regional Chair Gary Carr said the budget directions report ap- proved by council "lays a founda- tion to help us preserve our strong financial position, keep property taxes low and support our community as more resi- dents get vaccinated and Halton gradually reopens." But not all local residents feel that Halton's taxes should re- main low year after year, like Mil- ton's Stacey Newman. "I feel frustrated when I see politicians dangle the low-taxes carrot in front of voters," she said. "The Region of Halton has some of the lowest taxes in the country. That's nothing to brag about. In my strong opinion, ade- quate taxation is one of the key el- ements of the healthiest societies. Taxes pay for everything that un- derlines our quality of life in Can- ada." Meanwhile, Oakville resident Alain Aubin said he hopes Hal- ton's 2022 budget contains provi- sions for those struggling the most as a result of the pandemic, both financially and health-wise. According to Patel's report, next year's budget will support local residents impacted by the pandemic through Halton's ongo- ing rent supplement program, which has seen an influx in need since COVID-19 emerged in March 2020. Due to pandemic-driven de- mand, Halton also recently ac- quired the Burlington Inn on Queensway Drive to provide emergency shelter and support- ive housing for families, couples and single women -- a program that Patel said is anticipated to require "significant funding" in 2022. Other budget drivers include: • Public health: supporting the COVID-19 vaccine plan and re- covery of public health programs and services that were suspended or modified due to the pandemic response. • Paramedic services: address- ing increased costs associated with inflation, rising call vol- umes, maintaining response times, population and other growth pressures. • Services for seniors: support- ing costs for infection prevention and control measures, staff and visitor screening, ongoing staff vaccinations and capacity to re- spond to further outbreaks. • Transportation: addressing increased costs associated with road maintenance, the road re- surfacing program, expansion to accommodate growth and keep- ing current roads in a state of good repair. • Digital strategy: expanding the delivery of the Region's ser- vices online and providing staff with the ability to collaborate and access information when working remotely. Halton also manages the re- gion's water and sewer services and sets the annual rates. For 2021, the rate is projected to rise by 3.3 per cent for both services, or $35 more for a typical house- hold for the year. The budget is scheduled to go back before regional council on December 8 for review and delib- erations, followed by approval on December 15. STORY BEHIND THE STO- RY: With the 2022 municipal budget process already getting underway for Halton, we wanted to take a closer look at next year's projected tax increase and the key items the budget will fund. SMALL TAX INCREASE EXPECTED FOR HALTON IN 2022 Regional Chair Gary Carr said the budget directions approved by council will help keep property taxes low. Halton Region photo MELANIE HENNESSEY mhennessey@metroland.com COUNCIL