Halton budget with 3.4 per cent tax increase up for approval

It’s that time of year again, when municipalities crunch the numbers and decide on property tax rate increases — and regional council is no exception.

Halton politicians have been hearing budget presentations over the past two weeks and are gearing up to approve the Region's 2023 budget with a proposed tax increase of 3.4 per cent.

This would equate to an additional $9.31 per $100,000 of the assessed value of a home — $5.19 for regional services, and $4.12 for police services.

For a home currently assessed at $500,000, this would be a $46.55 tax increase on the regional portion of this year's tax bill.

The number is up  from the 2022 approved regional tax increase of 2.2 per cent, which equated to an additional $5.85 per $100,000 of the assessed value of a home.

The $306-million tax-supported budget addresses “significant pressures” related to challenging economic conditions and high inflation impacting the cost of goods and services, says a report from Halton's commissioner of finance and regional treasurer, Cyndy Winslow.

“The 2023 budget also provides investments to support the health and well-being of Halton residents,” she noted.

“In response to what was learned throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2023 budget includes investments in public health, paramedic services, services for seniors and housing services, ensuring the Region is well-positioned to move forward past the pandemic and continue to support the community.”

The budget also includes funds to keep infrastructure in a state of good repair and support priorities like Halton’s Digital Strategy.

Details of the budget drivers include:

• Paramedic services: Investing in six paramedic full-time equivalent (FTE) positions to address growth-related pressures that have resulted in increased call volumes.
• Services for seniors: Using Ministry of Long-Term Care funding for almost 20 personal support worker FTEs to provide increased direct care hours to residents at Halton’s three long-term care homes.
• Housing services: A $1.2-million increase in assisted housing provider grants, and $750,000 more for the Halton Rental Assistance Program and provincially mandated housing program.
• Public health: Hiring staff to support the healthy living and oral health programs, and investing in the transition to a mobile delivery model for sexual health services in north Halton.

Halton also funds the police budget, which is sitting at $186 million for 2023 — a 5.7 per cent increase over last year. The Halton Police Board approved the amount at its meeting in December.

In addition, Halton manages the region’s water and sewer services and sets the annual rates. For 2023, the rate is projected to rise by 4.1 per cent for both services, or $42 more for a typical household for the year.

The 2023 budget will go before regional council for approval on Jan. 25.