Here’s How Much the Town of Oakville Could be Spending This Year

InHalton.com
Jan 25, 2019
Paige Petrovsky

It's that time of year again when municipalities are organizing and preparing their budgets.

And the Town of Oakville has recently announced what it will be spending its money on if the $337.3 million operating budget is approved.

Some of this money, according to a recent press release from the town, will go towards providing programs and services such as road maintenance, community facility maintenance, fire services, transit, parks and trails, recreation and culture, libraries, senior services, and more.

Funding for the Trafalgar Park Community Centre, along with the Sixteen Mile Branch library and final phase of the Municipal Enforcement Strategy are a few specific program enhancements that have been recommended for this year.

In addition, the press release notes that $2.1 million in anticipated savings is being recognized from efficiency review work undertaken in 2018 and 2019.

A capital budget of $116.3 million was also recommended for 2019 to support growth elements including new facilities, transportation, and infrastructure renewal. Some of the capital projects for 2019 are listed below.

• Southeast Community Centre - $22.5 million
• Downtown Lakeshore Reconstruction - $10.8 million
• Road Resurfacing and Preservation Program - $9.6 million
• Fire Station #8 - $5.1 million
• Transit bus replacements - $3.6 million
• Kerr Street Widening and Grade Separation - $3.4 million
• River Oaks - Replace Slab B Ice Rink - $3.1 million
• Speers Road - GO Station west of 3rd Line to 4th Line - $3.0 million
• North Oakville Neighgourhood Park - $2.9 million
• Emerald Ash Borer Management Program - $2.5 million

It was recommended by the budget committee that capital funding of $250,000 for a study to replace Town Hall be postponed.

The budget committee, according to the release, also approved the proposed 2019 rates and fees. Rates and fees will increase between two and three per cent, on average. This will generate around $1.5 million in revenue that will be used to help fund valued programs and services.

“The proposed budget supports our commitment to ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of our community,” Mayor Rob Burton said in the press release.

Tax increases were another thing included in the 2019 budget.

The budget committee is recommending a 1.99 per cent increase to the town’s portion of the tax bill.

This would result in an overall property tax increase of 1.53 per cent when the regional and expected educational tax levies are included.

The proposed increase would mean that residential property taxes would increase by $11.72 per $100,000 of assessment. Meaning that an owner of a home assessed at $800,000 would pay an additional $93.75 per year or $1.80 per week.

“For over a decade, it has been a priority of this Council to keep overall property tax increases in line with inflation, and once again we have met that goal,” Budget Committee Chair Tom Adams said in the release.
“The town continues its steady path of identifying efficiencies, while building and maintaining infrastructure, and delivering high quality programs and services in the community. Oakville’s property tax increases continue to be lower, more predictable and on a downward trend.”

The recommended budget will go forward to council for final approval on Jan. 28 at 7 p.m.

Residents who wish to appear before council as a delegate can register in person at the meeting, or in advance by emailing townclerk@oakville.ca or by calling 905-815-6015.