2007 budget invests in roads, transit and parkland

Mississauga, Feb. 14 /CNW/ - Mississauga City Council approved a 4.7 per cent increase in the City's portion of the property tax today, as recommended by the City's Budget Committee. A tax increase of 3.2 per cent is required to fund the operating budget and an additional 1.5 per cent is being allocated to support the City's capital program. This equates to a $45 increase on an average residential property tax bill.

"Staff and Council worked hard in an ongoing effort to moderate property tax increases while continuing to keep our buses, buildings and roads operational and functioning efficiently," said Mayor Hazel McCallion. "The 2007 budget provides for construction, rehabilitation and renovation of roads, buildings, parks and the purchase of vehicles, equipment and parkland."

The City's 2007 Capital Budget includes:

• $19.3 million for major road construction including the widening of Mavis Road from Eglinton to Matheson and the construction of Ridgeway Drive from Unity Drive to north side of Highway 403.
• $23.3 million for road rehabilitation and resurfacing (53 residential and 16 industrial roads)
• $25 million for the replacement of 35 transit buses and the addition of 15 new buses to expand transit service
• $12.0 million to begin design and land acquisition for the new bus rapid transitway in the Highway 403/Eglinton corridor
• $19 million for parkland acquisition, new trail construction and parkland development, including play equipment and spray pads.

"Mississauga has been very successful at keeping the tax rate low for the past 10-15 years," said City Manager and CAO Janice Baker. "The City's budget committee and staff considered all options to minimize a tax increase. The 4.7 per cent increase is the minimum needed to allow for maintenance of services and to accommodate the growth we are still seeing in our City."

"The 2007 Budget reflects continued sound financial management and financial planning for the future," said Commissioner of Corporate Services and Treasurer Brenda Breault. "Looking ahead, the City is faced with escalating cost pressures as the needs for upgrading and eventually replacing our aging roads, buses, fire trucks and buildings grow."

"As part of our business planning process, staff will continue to focus on service priorities and efficiency improvements in an effort to minimize future tax increases," Breault added.

The City portion of a homeowners' tax bill represents approximately 27 per cent of the total property tax bill, with 46 per cent allocated for the Region of Peel and 27 per cent to the Province for education. The City has called for the removal of education and social services from the property tax, on the basis that property tax should not be used to pay for provincial services. Mississauga taxpayers pay $38 million a year to subsidize the cost of social services in Toronto. The City of Mississauga also pays $24 million through the Region of Peel, to subsidize Caledon and Brampton.

The 2007 Budget includes an operating budget of $477.3 million and capital budget of $196.4 million, for a combined total of $673.7 million. Highlights of the 2007 Budget and the complete Budget Book are available at www.mississauga.ca/finance. For more information, please contact Commissioner of Corporate Services and Treasurer Brenda Breault at 905-615-3200 ext. 5395.

Mississauga is Canada's sixth largest city with a population of more than 700,000. With well-established infrastructure and state-of-the-art facilities, the City delivers quality municipal programs and services to its citizens.Mississauga is recognized as Canada's safest city.