Posts Tagged ‘Taxes’

Milton tax increase official

Friday, December 18th, 2009

From Mike Cluett:

Last Monday night at Town Hall the 2010 captial and operating budgets were approved for a total increase in budget of 3.24%.

As Melanie Hennessey of the Champion outlines in her article today, it passed, but not unanimously. Both Councillor Mike Boughton and Mayor Gord Krantz voted against the budget because the rate of increase was higher than the rate of inflation.

Good for them!

Mayor Krantz also outlined during the meeting that taxes have gone up about 17% in this term of council alone. This amounts to roughly $120 per household in the last 4 years. Although Jan Mowbray stated that Milton has something to show for those increases, the amount is still quite high over a 4-year term.

Jan mentioned that she voted for the budget regretably because it didnt include an increase to service for the new library to include Sunday hours. Mea Culpa…. my family uses that library quite often and it is a wonderful place — dont get me wrong. Am I or other taxpayers willing to accept even more tax increases to pay for 7 day a week service? Highly unlikely.

Continue reading this column at Mike Cluett’s Milton Blog

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Town Council to discuss tax increase

Thursday, November 27th, 2008

Mike Cluett
Mike Cluett’s Milton Blog

Milton Town Council is proposing a 5.6% tax increase -- which Mayor Gord Krantz doesnt agree with.

Milton Town Council is proposing a 5.6% tax increase -- which Mayor Gord Krantz doesn't agree with.

As reported today, Milton Town Council will be discussing a potential tax increase of 5.6 per cent on December 8th. 

One can only hope that council will take its time during the budget disscussions and do everything possible to limit the increase to todays rate of inflation.

Last years increase of 6.6 per cent was bad enough but with the coming turmoil in the economy (some say its already hit us) taxpayers are going to be once again stretched to the limit.

The budget proposal is to be expected on the town website for viewing and they are inviting input from the community as well before the budget comes to council on December 8.

With the Region of Halton proposing an increase and the boards of education also considering an increase, we as taxpayers need to voice our opinion.

Tell your councillors what you think.

Councillors Brian Penman and Rick Day need to hear from you…

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Have you taken Milton Transit?

Thursday, October 9th, 2008

Mike Cluett
Mike Cluett’s Milton Blog

Did the Town of Milton suffer from the “chicken and the egg” syndrome?  Did they spend millions of dollars unnecessarily to get brand new buses that could fit more people BEFORE the people actually take the bus?

Mike Cluett says that while we will need a transit system in town, it has to be economically viable.

Mike Cluett says that while we will need a transit system in town, it has to be economically viable.

As I’ve stated in the past, I do beleive Milton needs a transit system for its increasing population.  There has to be a way for someone to get downtown Milton from lets say Hawthorne Village for the Farmers Market on Saturday instead of getting in the car, trying in vain to get up Thompson Road, turn left at Main and head on down.  We all know the downtown area isnt meant for lots of vehicle traffic and the bus would be the preferred way.

Only problem is that no one is taking advantage of it.  Recent Milton Transit reports show that the only time ridership on the buses increases is when there are FREE TRANSIT days, sponsored usually by corporate citizens like Mattamy Homes, Fieldgate etc. and go back down to almost non existant levels when Miltonians have to pay.  While we will need a transit system in town, it has to be economically viable.  We cant just keep throwing money at the issue and hope someone will take the bus.  We cant have a program if no one is using it.  The town can throw money around and try to educate people that taking the bus is the better way.

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Posted in Environment, Mike Cluett, Milton Development, Milton: The Bad, Politics, Transit, Transportation | No Comments »