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Waterloo North Progressive Conservative candidate Walter McLean attended a campaign luncheon for PC leader Joe Clark last week along with other area PC candidates. Rev. McLean introduced Mr, Clark as the ”next Prime Minister of Canada", 124TH YEAR NO. 14 ‘ By Geoff Hail. Chem Stall Wtitov' - Residential property taxes in Waterloo will in- crease about 11 per cent despite city officials' dilli- gence in trimming the 1979 budget Saturday. Mayor Marjorie Carroll urged members of council to aim for a zero increase in the municipal portion of the mill rate in view of anticipated increases of close to eight per cent in the Region's rate and 18 per cent for the school boards. "We have a chance to give our taxpayers a break." she said. "I really believe we can it. Now is the time not to go into new programs; rFollowing' recommendations of the finance commit- tee on most items. council proceeded to slash 8213.000 in estimated expenses from the 'IO-million budget. In spite of the cuts. the budgeCreflects a 7.3 per cent increase in expenditures. a figure that includes $i00.000 for contingencies. ' Zero bassibudllgtyt for T '79 On the campaign trail WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4/1979 The fire department gained some of the things they wanted and lost others. Among the items chopped from their 1979 budget were 1.200 feet of hose, three air conditioners. a $10.000 service vehicle and com- munications equipment worth 328.000. Other munici- pal departments lost items ranging from $3.000 worth of lapel pins bearing the city logo to capital expendi- tures in city arenas and stadiums. As a result of the many cuts and a ”-million in- crease in the city's total assessment that reflects a 6.8 per cent growth rate. council was able to achieve the zero base budget. This means an average residential assessment of $5.500 will cost the homeowner the same $171.47 he paid last year. however. the total tax bill will increase {can last year's 855.33 to $729.99: The additional $74.36 comes from increased regional and school board levies. . . According to Don Schaefer'. Waterloo's commis- ,3 Board of Eid. tk million budget Last Wednesday evening Waterloo County School Boa rd trustees attacked a proposed $109.9 million bud- get and after three hectic hours. managed to reduce this total by $5 million. The grand total for. the 1979 budget $31019 million and on an average assess- ment represents an educa- tion tax increase of almost $45. This 16.3 per cent tax increase ismuch lower than the 26.6 per cent increase that would have been im- posed had the initial budget remained intact. However the taxpayer wasn't totally on the win- ning side when one con- siders where the necessary cuts were made. A $600,000 cut came out of the yet-to- be-negotiated 1979-80 teacher contract. This fi- gure works out to almost $1.5 million over the life of the contract. An 389.000 cut in the pro- The school portion will increase to $420.49 from $356.34. In recent years the separate school rate has been the same as the public board. Gary Schleuter. the Waterloo County Board of Education's adminis- sinner of finance. the overall increase of Th per cent in the regional mill rate will further increoethrougtt equalization apportionment due to the city's 6.8 per cent growth rate. and will be closer to eight-or-nine per cent. ', Similarly, said mr. Schaefer. the Waterloo County Board of Education portion of the mill rate will be close to 18 per cent once the equalization factor and an underlevy from last year are taken into account. Based on these estimated increases in the mill fate. the Regional portion of this year's tax bill for the $5.500 assessment would rise to $138.03 from the-i978 figure of $127.82. . Community calendar 2 Waterloo at a glance" 3 Comment 6 Historical insights 12 Business 1 4 Sports 1 6-20 Guelph Muskateers goalie stops a tough shot in a losing 3-2 cause during the fifth annual Clippers tour- nament. WATE R LOO, ONTARIO Llnside A program for gifted stu- dents will be delayed after the board denied a request for seven special education teachers. gram division is likely to kill the Saturday morning Greek and German Language Schools as well as a'll non- credit night school courses. In the same manner. $91.000 was saved by eliminatingin- terest courses at summer school. Regular credit cour- ses will not be affected. ment budget took a loss of $300,000 and $500,000 in planned renovations to schools was put aside for T9, _ Three janitorial jobs won't be filled. a school bus won't be replaced and some supplies just won't be pur- chased. Driver education fees will increase from $50 to $75, "The furniture and equip- . (Continuog on p.09- 3) Id CENTS x}