Regional Council - April 19, 2006 

Regional Budget 

Council approved a Regional tax net impact (excluding transit) of 2.75% or $49.90 on an average home with Current Value Assessment of $280,000.00.  The approved Police Services Board budget  includes 30 new officers and 7 new civilians plus major capital improvements and continued fleet replacement.  The. .8 FTE Associate Medical Officer of Health was included in the final budget to address infectious diseases.  In addition;  the approval of the transit budget of $24.9 million provides for harmonization of grid service to a consistent service standard, Go transit local bus integration agreement and five new bus routes including Audley Road, in Ajax. New operations, maintenance, administrative staff and transit capital spending for 41 buses to support the expanded services was also approved. Using the Regional  Council approved formula for transit, which allocates tax rates based upon 75% revenue hours of service and 25% weighted assessment, this translates into an additional 1.75% for Ajax. 2.75% plus 1.75% or 4.50% in total calculated after factoring in the tax room remaining as a result of  the transfer of transit responsibilities to the Region is the total impact.  This equates to approximately $81.70 Regional tax rate increase on a home at CVA of $280,000.00. 

Tax Ratios 

Council approved a motion to direct Finance staff to set the municipal tax ratio for the large industrial property tax class at the same level as the industrial residual property tax class in 2007, in order for General Motors to incorporate this reduction into its business case for new product to be assembled in  Oshawa.  Finance staff had recommended that this issue be reviewed in the context of the 2007 budget process as it will have implications on the other tax classes. 

RVHS (Rouge Valley Health System) 

Council heard from the representatives from the Rouge Valley Health System, Mr. Dave Sinclair, Chair of the Board of Directors and Mr. Hume Martin, President and CEO, Rouge Valley Health System, as well as Yvonne Bosch, on behalf of the “Friends of the Ajax/Pickering Hospital.   Council was advised of the announcement of the Provincial approval of the $60 million Capital Development project. Assurances were provided by the hospital representatives that the obstetrics and gynecological services of the hospital would continue and be expanded in order to serve the community.  Regional Council rescinded their motion of Dec. 14^th which withheld their $3.5 million funding commitment to the hospital, until satisfied as to services provided.