Masks requirements have been extended in select indoor settings, including Oakville Transit.
Masks are no longer required to enter any town facility.
Tue, 18 Dec 2012
Meeting its commitment to keep the total property tax increase in line with inflation, Oakville Council unanimously approved a 3.01 per cent increase to the town’s portion of the tax bill for an overall property tax increase of 1.47 per cent. This means an average home assessed at $400,000 will pay an additional $55.20 per year or $1.06 per week for town programs, services and infrastructure renewal.
“This budget ensures we will continue our progress in keeping up with the infrastructure, and program and service needs of our community,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “We’re controlling costs without cutting services by using performance-based budgeting to drive the efficient delivery of our programs and services. We continue to reduce our tax-supported debt to ensure we’re living within our means. Together we’re creating the most livable town in Canada.”
The 3.01 per cent increase to the town’s portion of the tax bill includes a 0.98 per cent increase in the cost to deliver town programs and services. Service enhancements include $138,000 to fund a one-year trial of a new transit route on North Service Road East and $45,200 to provide one-day weekly free transit service for seniors, as well as an inflationary increase to fund the cultural grants program bringing the total funding amount available to $100,000. Council also approved transit route modifications that will result in annual savings of $326,100.
The 2013 budget also includes a 2.03 per cent increase for the costs of infrastructure renewal including road resurfacing, facilities, parks and trails. Some of the top capital projects influencing this year’s budget are: $5.5 million for road resurfacing and preservation; $4.7 million for a new maintenance and operations facility in north Oakville; $2.9 million for transit buses; $2.8 million for the expansion of Oakville’s road capacity; $2.5 million to battle the Emerald Ash Borer infestation; and $2.4 million for a fire station in north Oakville.
“This is a responsible and proactive budget. Unlike most municipalities, we’re maintaining our infrastructure by renewing it at the same rate that it depreciates,” said Budget Chair Councillor Tom Adams. “We have kept our budget increase in line with inflation and we’re in a good position to meet that same goal of inflation or less in 2014 and 2015.”
Visit the 2013 Budget page for details.
Nancy Sully
Deputy Treasurer and Director of Financial Planning
905-845-6601, ext. 3143
nsully@oakville.ca
Janine Ivings
Senior Communications Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3005
jivings@oakville.ca