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TRY YOUR LUCK TOWIN 5-50% OFF YOUR PURCHASE. MONDAY TO FRIDAY 9:00 AM TO 8:00 PM I SATURDAY 9:00 AM TO 5:00 PM I SUNDAY 12:00 PM TO 5:00 PM 30 Benjamin Rd., Waterloo, ON (Across from St. Jacob's Factory Outlet) 519.746.0060 | www.furniturehouse.ca ® Chronicle.WATERLOO $1.00 CONNECTED TO YOUR COMMUNITY WATERLOOCHRONICLE.CA City drops tax rate to 2.1% for 2018 By Bob Vrbanac Chronicle Staff Higher assessment growth in Waterloo has led council to cut the tax increase to 2.1 per cent in 2018, bringing it closer to the projected rate of inflation. Waterloo council's three-year budget process had set the tax rate for 2.4 per cent for 2018, but growth of 3.74 per cent in 2017, the highest in Waterloo Region, has resulted in additional revenue of $1.8 million for next year. Keshwer Patel, chief financial officer for the city, said at Monday's financial and strategic planning committee meeting the accelerated growth is pro- viding the city with financial flexibility to address a number of funding needs in 2018, and the assessment growth is higher than it's been in seven years due to new development coming on stream. "It's likely not sustainable, and has primarily come from increased assessment-based management by city staff and some council decisions in the past," said Patel. "Some large key properties are getting on the tax roll quicker than the past." But the additional money comes in handy as the city has to absorb the cost of changes to the minimum wage of $14 an hour by Jan. 1, and other enhance- ments that will come with the enactment of Bill 148, the province's Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act. Those changes are estimated to cost the city $441,000, and will be paid out of the new revenue growth. Council also approved $363,063 to help pay for existing labour, operations and external contractual obligations, $230,000 to the operating costs of the future east side library, and $80,000 towards the con- tinued funding of a seniors program from the Water- loo Wellington Local Health Integration Network. Council has been funding the shortfall in that pro- gram for more than a decade, but Mayor Dave Jawor- sky said they city gets $600,000 in provincial support with that investment. Continued on page 11 Members of the Burlington Teen Tour Band take part in the annual Kitchener Lions Club Santa Claus Parade that made its way down Weber Street before ending at Erb Street in Waterloo. The annual parade saw the jolly old elf make his first visit to the city. Local artist wins major portrait competition earning Kingston Prize Page 23 ARTS FOCUS WR Connectors launch program to help newcomers network Page 16 BUSINESS THURSDAY November 23, 2017 More than nine pipers piping Joy STruThErS PhoTo SEE OUR AD ON BACK PAGE OF THIS ISSUE Visit us online at www.waterloochronicle.ca ® Chronicle.WATERLOO $1.00 CONNECTED TO YOUR COMMUNITY WATERLOOCHRONICLE.CA