Tax increase of 2.66 per cent proposed by Caledon

Written By JOSHUA SANTOS

A tax increase may come for Caledon residents in the New Year.

The Town is asking for a 5.79 per cent budget increase resulting in a 2.66 tax increase when budget numbers and a tax levy are accounted for, according to the Town's proposed budget draft.

Homeowners of a house valued at $590,000 may see an added $131.82 to their property tax bill.

The town is looking at a $3,203,691 increase to their operating budget and a $1,836,581 increase to their tax capital base. Furthermore, an increase from the school board is assumed to be zero until new information is released in 2019.

The budgets are reduced by 50 per cent from revenues in town's assessment growth bringing the operating budget down to $2,557,260 and capital base down to $1,190,150.

Total revenue from the operating budget sits at $96.1 million with expenses at $98.7 million, requiring the $2,557,260 to make up for the shortfall.

The cost for homeowners may change, however as the Region of Peel finalizes their budget in January 2019. 

The proposed budget has no service level decreases, enhancements and staff additions, including nine full time employees in customer service, corporate services, strategic initiatives, finance and infrastructure services and community services sectors, three contract or part-time workers to full-time status, refurbishment of the Albion Bolton Library Branch and funding for Phase 3 of the Johnson Sports Park featuring a full-size lit soccer pitch, irrigation system and a shade structure, according to staff documents available online.

It also includes funding to start the construction of the Caledon East Community Complex expansion featuring a new gym, fitness centre, walking track and community room, town hall and provincial offences court expansion, $18.2 million or roads, $2.4 million for bridges capital and funding to phase in a public transit service system.

An online budget survey has been launched. It is available from Dec. 11 to Jan. 10, 2019.

An open house will be held on Jan 9. and a general committee meeting will be held on Jan. 15. A regular council meeting will then be held on Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. for a final decision.