THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2011 • THE NEWS • WWW.HAMILTONNEWS.COM •
10
AVERYHILL SUMMER CAMPS
Farm Inc.
1 Week Day Camps From July 4th - September 2nd, 2011 Daily English Riding Lessons, Horsemanship, Swimming, Outdoor Education, Crafts and a Co-operative Games Program for boys and girls 6-13 years old, Volunteer & Leadership Programs (14-17 yr. olds)
25500 per week
$
(HST included) farm Open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Camp runs Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
25 Years of Operation
For further information, please call
Susan or Ian - (905) 304-0039 Hwy #2 - 2 kms west of Alberton (905)
Hair
648-0636
www.averyhillfarm.com
s w o d Mea in the
Salon, Barbershop, Aesthetics, Tanning
Would like to welcome
KATRINA to our team STARTING SPECIAL
FULL HIGHLIGHTS
1/2 PRICE
REG $95 With Katrina New Clients Only.
SENIORS THURSDAY 10% OFF (not valid with any other specials)
APRIL & MAY SPECIALS • Pedicure $33 • Facial $45 • Waxing 25% OFF 1100 Golf Links Rd. Ancaster (beside Golf Town)
905.648.9041
38th Annual Dundas Lions Club
EASTER EGG HUNT Good Friday, April 22nd (raindate April 23rd)
8:00 a.m. SHARP Dundas Driving Park $1/person to $5/family max plus a non-perishable food item for the Dundas Food Bank. 4 groupings – newborn to 11 years Refreshments available from the Dundas Lioness Club
Plus, don’t miss the...
Dundas Lions’ Craft Show Friday, April 22nd 10am-4pm Dundas Lions Community Centre
Area-rating studies show tax increases in suburbs BY KEVIN WERNER NEWS STAFF
Hamilton councillors may be talking about compromise and cooperation to mitigate the effects of tripling suburban residents’ taxes, but some councillors are prepared to fight to keep the area-rating policy in place for now. Under at least four scenarios proposed by city staff based on an urban-rural geographical split, any changes to the current area-rating policy will see suburban homeowners’ taxes jump anywhere between 6.5 per cent for Ancaster residents to 16 per cent for Glanbrook homeowners, while residents in the former city of Hamilton will see their taxes drop by more than four “I know the sensitivity per cent. Under the Citizens’ of the issue. Nobody Forum recommendation for wants a head-on a three-tiered fire service collision. Compromise rate, suburban residents will needs to happen.” see their taxes rise from between 1.9 per cent for Robert Rossini Ancaster residents, to 9.2 per cent for Glanbrook homeowners. The forum, which introduced its recommendations about a month ago, also proposed to eliminate Ancaster’s sidewalk snow clearing service. City staff said eliminating the service will only mean a $4 savings for each household. Ancaster Councillor Lloyd Ferguson has called the forum’s recommendation silly, and will fight to keep the service. But if councillors decide to eliminate area-rating for transit, fire, culture and recreation, as a number of inner city politicians want to happen starting this year, then suburban taxpayers will see a jump in their taxes anywhere from three to four per cent. Hamilton residents would see tax cuts in every scenario that was proposed by city financial staff. Corporate services general Manager Robert Rossini said any area rating proposal includes ideas to mitigate the tax impacts by phasing in the increases over a number of years. After listening to the nearly five-hour presentation about changes to area-rating, councillors said they needed time to talk about such an emotional and fractious issue among themselves. “I want to bring us together,” said Ward 4 Councillor Sam Merulla, who has wanted to eliminate area rating, believing it has benefited the suburban areas since amalgamation. Councillors are also mindful that during the past municipal election, voters demanded they do something to cut taxes. They said, say councillors, Hamilton remains one of the highest taxed municipalities in the province. “Taxes are just too high,” said Mayor Bob Bratina. Flamborough councillor Judi Partridge, whose residents will have to absorb the second highest tax increase if area-rating is eliminated or reformed, said her homeowners can’t afford further tax hikes. “We have to get them down in a sustainable fashion,” she said. But Brenda Johnson, councillor for Glanbrook, which would have the highest tax hikes if area rating is changed, remained fearful of any changes council adopts. She would like to see a tax policy that would allow homeowners pay for what they receive in services. Councillors are expected to discuss changing area rating this week, with the possibility it could take effect in the 2011 budget. So far politicians have whittled the average 2011 tax increase to about 0.8 per cent. If councillors agree to a changed area-rating system, and phase it in over a period of five to 10 years, city staff say tax increases this year could be as high in the urban areas as 3.1 per cent for Dundas residents, to a low of 0.3 per cent increase for Hamilton residents. Other politicians believe they should gather more information, including conducting a municipal services delivery review before implementing such a comprehensive tax policy. Such a review could take anywhere from six months to a year. “I’m not married to my previous report,” said Rossini, referring to his 2009 area rating study. “I know the sensitivity of the issue. Nobody wants a head-on collision. Compromise needs to happen.”