colleenjordan.ca

 Regional Council - April 13, 2005

 Budget Approved 

The 2005 Business Plans & Budgets were approved by Regional Council with a Regional levy of $329.0 million resulting in a net impact of a 5.82% tax rate increase.  This equates to an increase of approximately $98.00 on the Regional portion of the tax levy for a home assessed at $250,000.00. 

The public health positions in the gross amount of $365,000.00 cost shared by the province at a rate of 55% were not reinstated in the budget.  Regional Council also did not endorse the inclusion of $133, 900.00 in the hostels services budget which would have assisted  hostels to provide shelter to the homeless. 

Regional Council approved that the farmland municipal tax ratio be  reduced over a three year period. from 25% of the residential ratio to a 20% ratio, beginning in 2005 at 0.23% and in 2006 at 0.2167%.  This should have a minimal impact on Ajax residential with an increase of about $1.68 on a home assessed at $250,000.00.  Rural areas will see a more significant impact as the shift moves to the residential taxpayer. 

Regional Council also approved that the large industrial tax ratio be reduced to 2.5950 times the residential ratio from 2.75 in 2004 and that the multi residential tax ratio be reduced to 2.0750 times the residential from 2.1274 in 2004.  

Urban Development Institute of Ontario Presentation 

U.D.I. presented to Regional Council, the findings of their analysis of the  provincial Places to Grow vision.  Although they generally support the provincial growth management vision they have concerns in some areas.  They raise concerns with the potential future shortfall of employment lands and the difficulty in meeting the intensification targets within 10 years without the necessary infrastructure investments in transit, sanitary/water capacity and road improvements.