PAGE 4, WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, APRIb1,,1987 Region budget shows 9.1% tax hike in Whitby Whitby ratepayers will see a 9.1 per cent increase in the regional portion of their tax bill according to the budget approved by Durham council members last week. The average increase for regional ratepayers is 9.8 per cent, from a high of a 12.4 per cent im- pact on Oshawa ratepayers to a low of 7.6 per cent in Brock Township. "It is not a bare bones budget but it is certainly a fiscally responsible budget," said finance committee chairman Jim Witty. The Region will spend almost $122.5 million this year, 12.4 per cent higher than last year. After revenues and subsidies of $63 million, net expenditures will be $59.3 million, 15 per cent higher than 1986. "We are paying more regional dollars to get less work done," said Witty. "Unfortunately this seems to be happening more and more ail the time." In a budget report, Witty stated 4 ATERING "EASTERN ONTARIO'S LARGEST CATERER" We Serve: • Full course sit down dinners • Hot & cold buffets • We cater from 1 to 5,000 • Complete professional service from flower arrangements to ice carvings • Bar facilities, limousine service and decorations available WEDDING SPECIAL' For every confirmed booking from January 1 to December 31, 1987 your name will be entered Into a draw for A TRIP FOR TWO TO FLORIDA Compliments of TRS, and booked throuah Rogers Travel Draw to t Also withe will receive of TRS T informa 728-7 800 FA be made Jan. lst, 1988. every wedding booked, you a gift basket compliments and their suppliers. o receive a copy of our menu or more ation please call our wedding consultant at: r305 or 686-1232 (Toronto une) ýREWELL ST. S. OSHAWAfONT. that an increase in provincial gran- ts of only two per cent, a $730,000 increase in roads spending and $515,324 in solid waste operations, police salaries, and special levies are some of the factors which ac- count for most of the overall tax in- crease. There was an additional $650,000 allotted to the special levy fund as a reserve for the proposed 911 telephone system, the proposed new regional headquarters building and proposed new waste disposal site. Reserve funding for all three projects is included in the 1988-91 forecast. Witty said the reserve would provide a "start" toward the establishment of 911, which he said would cost $1.5 million to set up and the same amount to operate. Spending on the police depar- tment will be $27 million in 1987, 10.6 per.cent higher than last year. Police spending accounts for about 22 per cent of the budget. Works department spending will be $7.8 million and social services, about $8 million. Witty said the budget also con- tinues the Region's "pay-as-you- go" policy since no debenturing is forecast for 1987. Region policy is to pay for general capital expen- ditures from current operations in order to reduce the tax supported outstanding debt. Tax supported outstanding debt is expected to go down from $26.79 per household in 1986 to $2.84 per household in 1991. Witty said money now spent on the debt will be available for other projects in future years as the Region con- tinues its policy. He even predicted that money now spent on the debt might someday be "reverted back to the taxpayer" in the form of reduced taxes. "We won't live to see it," com- mented once ?ouncillor. Oshawa councillor Ed Kolodzie, saying the budget was "getting out of control," proposed hiring cuts and less reserve fund money to reduce the budget impact. His motion, defeated by council, was to reduce by 40 the 80 additional per- sonnel to be hired by the Region and cut reserves by $80,000. "We're putting money away for a rainy day but the rainy day is here now," said Kolodzie in, criticism of the reserve funds, which he said shouldn't be eliminated but reduced. '88 will be 'demanding' year Durham Regional council can ex- pect another "demanding" year in 1988 to meet service demands while trying to limit tax increases, says Region finance committee chair- man Jim Witty. Witty warns there will already be a 7.5 per cent increase in spending "substantial increases" to special levies. The 7.5 per cent increase represents about $3.2 million, of which $2.1 million is slated for special levies such as reserve funds for the 911 telephone system, regional headquarters and -waste andaddab u 2(OlO jutn thJL' 1QR because of police salaries and disposal site, as well as $300,000 for tax levy. Region says no to federation the pay equity legislation. Witty said the 7.5 per cent ad- ditional funding does not include increased spending for Region departments and inflation. Witty repeated his concern about provincial unconditional grants, saying they did not match inflation and add about $250.000 to the 1988 Durham Region councillors voted last week not to join the Canadian Federation of Municipalities. After arguments by Oshawa councillor John Aker against joining the federation and against including the $22,700 membership in the 1987 budget, councillors voted 22-6 not to join. Whitby mayor Bob Attersley voted against joining while Whitby regional councillors Tom Edwards and Gerry Emm supported the budgeted amount to join. Aker said the amount of money to join may not seem large to some but is "an awful lot of money to me." He said there would be further expenses beyond the membership fee when the Region sent delegates across Canada to meetings. He maintained that the Association of Municipalities of On- tario (AMO) "works well as a voice for Ontario municipalities. He also noted that Pickering and Whitby were once members of the Canadian federation but later with- drew. He noted that while Durham is the largest municipality in Canada which isn't a member, "It should be the one that doesn't run with the pack." "We're doing very well as the maverick municipality," said Aker. He added that regional chairman Gary Herrema has been successful" in lobbying efforts on behalf of the Region. Company wants to move trailer park An Agincourt company has made application to the Town to move the trailer park at 1010 Dundas St. E. back and rezone the remaining lan- ds as special purpose commercial. The commercial zoning would permit the company, Falcon Developments Ltd., to build com- mercial venues as diversified as a restaurant to an automotive sales outlet. Planning director Bob Short said the development would be highway oriented commercial uses. Future development was not in- dicated on the rezoning application. A spokesman for the company was unavailable for comment. According to councillor Joe Drumm, whose ward includes the trailer park, the residents have set up a committee and hired a lawyer to negotiate with the company. Residents have had at least one meeting with the company, said Drumm. "There was a mixed reactior ,at the start but the reaction now seems to be favorable," he said.' A spokesman for the committee would not discuss the matter saying it would "jeopardize" the residen- ts'position. Drumm says the application will have to satisfy all the requirements of the Town. "Our main concern is to make sure those people have, a place to live," hesaid. A public meeting will have to be held on the rezoning 'application. Short could not say when that meetingwill be held. LET TRS CATERING HANDLEALLYOUR WEDDING NEEDS Over 30 Years' Experience in the catering business THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF WHITBY TOWN OF WHITBY 1987 INTERIM TAX NOTICE The second instalment of taxes for 1987 is due and payable April 15, 1987. If payment is not received by the due date, penalty will be added on the first day of default and the first day of each calendar month so long as non-payment continues, at the rate of 1¼% per month or part thereof. If you have not received a tax bill and you are responsible for payment, please contact the Tax Department at 668-5803 to obtain the nedessary information. Taxes may be paid at any Whitby bank without bank collection charges, or at the Municipal Office, 575 Rossland Road East, Whitby, Ontario. Corinne Wendt, A.M.C.T. (A), Tax Collector, TOWN OFWHITBY 00 iffle CI