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Town to look at rates and fees increases Tuesday by Michael Gregory Oakville Beaver Staff 3 | Friday, January 16, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Oakville residents can begin to participate in the Town's annual budget process next week -- as the proposed rates and fees charged for programs and services will be reviewed. The Town's budget committee will meet on Tuesday morning (Jan. 20) to discuss recommended hikes to a variety of rates and fees for Town services that, if approved, would collect $1.16 million in additional cash for the Town in 2015. Many of the proposed rates and fee hikes range between two and three per cent. According to the latest numbers from the Bank of Canada, the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which is used as a measure of inflation, is 2.1 per cent. Mayor Rob Burton said user fees and property taxes fund the Town's programs and services and residents' have provided "clear" feedback and guidance to council on the matter. "The Citizen Survey results repeatedly show that 75 per cent of residents prefer an increase in user rates over an increase in property taxes to maintain or improve services," Burton said. The Citizen Survey for 2015 is currently posted on the Town's website, along with an Idea Forum where residents can share recommendations on how to improve Oakville. If approved, residents could see increases in everything from facility rentals and fitness memberships, to a $5 hike for student and adult bus passes. The Town said that under the Municipal Act, municipalities can "impose fees or charges for any activity or service provided, but cannot charge more than the cost to provide those programs and services." Recreation programs, rentals, transit fares, and parking, as well as development and planning permits are all funded through user fees and taxes. Since 2012 increases to rates and fees have resulted in $3.9 million in additional revenue. If approved by the budget committee on Tuesday, Town council will vote on the hikes at its next meeting on Monday, Jan 26. Some of the adopted rates and fees will then come into effect on Feb. 1, while others will start after March 1. Those wishing to appear as a delegate before the Budget Committee on Jan. 20, may register in person at the meeting, or in advance by emailing townclerk@oakville.ca or calling 905-815-6015 by noon on Monday (Jan. 19). Alternately, residents can email their comments to budget@oakville.ca. If you would like to attend the meeting and have any accessibility needs, contact Kathy Patrick at 905-845-6601, ext. 4235, or fill out the accessible online feedback form. inside today's Editorial Artscene Beaver www.insideHALTON.com Home Hardware Real Estate Barbara Beers Raghav Bhargava Starsky Fine Foods West of the City A STEP BEYOND IN CARE Do you have: Salima Kassam Reg. Chiropodist 6 22 Sports Classified 25 30 *All flyers not necessarily delivered to all homes · Foot/Arch Pain? · Ingrown Toenails? · Diabetes? · Swollen Ankles? · Corns, Calluses? Call for an appointment 905-632-1414 For home delivery & customer service call 905-631-6095, 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington New subscriptions call 905-631-6095 or subscribe online @ www.oakvillebeaver.com 728 Burloak Drive www.footandhealthclinic.com INSTALLATION SALE* save up to on DESIGNER Lighting 70 On Now % * *See store for details the sale that makes all our other sales nervous. upto 70%off. plus FREE light bulbs for life* CONCEPT LIGHTING OAKVILLE 243 Speers Rd. · 905.849.5483 Your WInter Just Got even better WIth the burroWs WInter sale. vIsIt us startInG december 26, 2014 to experIence fIne, european mensWear collectIons, expert alteratIons and professIonal advIce, rIGht In the heart of oakvIlle's herItaGe core, at up to 70% off. stop bY and Warm up WhIle You see What our WInter sale has to offer. The burrows winTer sale. starts december 26,2014. www.conceptlighting.ca 905.842.0232 burrowscloThiers.com 200 lakeshore road e, oakville