On December 2, Milton Town Council approved a 9.89% increase in the local portion of residential property taxes. This increase aims to fund key projects like transit improvements, road upgrades, and the addition of 25 new full-time employees, including 14 for the fire department. However, the decision has sparked mixed reactions among council members and residents.
Why the Tax Hike?
Ward 4 Regional Councillor Sameera Ali emphasized the importance of addressing gaps in fire services. She explained that Milton previously lacked full urban fire coverage, which posed significant risks for both firefighters and the community.
“If a firefighter enters a blaze, there’s no backup. If they’re trapped, there’s no one to rescue them,” said Ali. “We’ve been lucky so far not to face multiple emergencies at once, but how long will that luck last? This investment is crucial for the safety of our community and our firefighters who risk their lives for us.”
What’s Changing?
Of the 25 new hires, 14 will join the fire department to ensure full coverage across Milton. Other funding includes transitioning fire services to the next-generation 911 radio system and $800,000 to cover costs for staff progression due to growth.
Councillor Ali defended the budget, describing it as a "good-news budget" that reflects long-standing calls from residents to strengthen fire services. "It takes leadership and guts to make these decisions, especially in the current climate,” she said.
Criticism and Concerns
While some see the budget as a necessary investment, others, including Mayor Gord Krantz, voiced concerns about increasing the municipal workforce. He criticized the growth of full-time employees, saying the council had already sent staff back to reduce the original hiring proposal.
“Our full-time employee count only increased by 3.6%, and over half of that is for fire services,” said Ali in response. Milton now plans to grow its workforce to 718 full-time staff, still significantly fewer than Burlington, which employs around 1,150 staff for a population of 50,000 more residents.
Final Decision Pending
The 2025 budget was passed under Milton’s new "strong-mayor" powers, giving Mayor Krantz authority to present the budget and veto amendments. However, the total tax increase won’t be confirmed until Halton Region votes on its portion of the bill on December 11.
This decision has stirred debates about balancing safety, services, and fiscal responsibility in a rapidly growing town. Stay tuned for updates on the final tax rate.
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