On January 16, 2019, Regional Council approved Halton’s 2019 Budget and Business Plan, which supports essential services while investing in community infrastructure. Based on prudent, forward-looking fiscal planning principles, the 2019 Budget aims to preserve Halton’s top credit rating and strong long-term financial position.
“This Budget will help us maintain a high quality of life in the community as we prepare our strategic plan for the new term of Council,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “It ensures maximum value for taxpayers and lays the foundation for new initiatives in the near future. It also continues our 12-year track record of keeping property tax increases at or below the rate of inflation to help individuals, families and businesses succeed.”
By identifying savings and reorganizing resources, the 2019 Budget increases Regional investment in priority areas previously identified by residents and Council. Some of these increases include:
- Water and Wastewater State-of-Good-Repair Capital Program: $7.7 million to support water and wastewater infrastructure.
- Transportation State-of-Good-Repair Capital Program: $1.9 million to support Regional roads.
- Waste management: $791,000 for waste management contracts due to inflation, tonnage growth and organics market pressures.
- Road maintenance: $777,000 for road maintenance contracts, including $100,000 for three new red light cameras.
- Relief staff resources: $431,000 for additional relief resources to maintain service levels in Paramedic Services and Services for Seniors.
- Regional Facilities State-of-Good-Repair Capital Program: $380,000 to maintain Regional facilities.
- Capacity to prevent and address homelessness: $305,000 to leverage Provincial funding allocated for 2019.
- Halton Region Community Investment Fund: $300,000 strategic investment to increase funding for programs that support the health, safety and well-being of Halton residents.
- Emerald Ash Borer: $272,000 to support program implementation by Conservation Halton and Credit Valley Conservation.
- Water and wastewater maintenance: $252,000 to address inflationary increases.
The 2019 Budget also includes a 1.9 per cent property tax increase for Regional services and a 3.7 per cent rate increase for water and wastewater services.
Learn more about Halton Region’s 2019 Budget and Business Plan.
The Regional Municipality of Halton serves 570,000 residents in the City of Burlington, the Town of Halton Hills, the Town of Milton, and the Town of Oakville. Halton Region is committed to meeting the needs of its residents through the delivery of cost-effective, quality programs and services, including water and wastewater; Regional roads and planning; paramedic services; waste management; public health; social assistance; children’s and seniors’ services; housing services; heritage programs; emergency management and economic development. For more information, call 311 or visit Halton Region’s website at
halton.ca.