December 6th., 2005

Halton Hills - Halton: We asked Councillor Lewis and Councillor Inglis who are both our municipal representatives on CH (Conservation Halton) Board; "would they comment on Conservation Halton's proposed 24.6% appropriation allotment increase over last years increase?

Milton mayor said he can't support 'it'. Wondering what, if any, your thoughts are on it?

I understand on November 24th the budget recommendations went before Conservation Halton's executive committee, which the board's basic budget had previously approved.

Last year Conservation Halton received three million five hundred and twenty five thousand dollars. This year the board is looking to burden taxpayers with an additional half million dollars more in funding, totaling four million forty eight thousand three hundred and twenty dollars, which other papers have reported - amounts to a twenty four point six percent increase from last year."

We haven't been able to confirm if CH board member Councillor Inglis was present at the meeting, however, CH Board Member Councillor Lewis was happy to find the time to address taxpayers concerns.

Mr. Lewis wrote; "To be short and to the point, when presented and voted upon there were two (that I saw around the table) that did not vote in favour of such an increase, and after reading this e-mail and speaking to Milton Mayor Krantz, you have now received comments from both of them." Apparently Councillor Lewis and Mayor Krantz did not vote in favour of the increase.

"There are some major expenditures due to repairs to some dams, structures and watercourses." wrote Lewis.

He continued; "Also it should be noted that this is not all Halton Region Budget items as there is funding from Hamilton, Puslinch and Mississauga.

I still do not share in the belief that 24.6% increase is the proper presentation to the taxpayers of Halton. There is ONLY ONE taxpayer no matter what the funding requirements are.

We were informed that a recent meeting last week between the Executive Committee and Regional Chair and her financial staff accepted the presentation. There have been many meetings between CH and Region of Halton to get to the final approval. I might suggest you also ask the Region, why they would approve such an increase and not send it back for further re-working", stated the Halton Hills Councillor.

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