Region’s 2014 Budget Reflects Possible Service Cuts
Posted Nov 16, 2013 09:04:50 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Waterloo Region’s 2014 budget has been released and some services appear to be on the chopping block.
Chair of the Budget Committee, Tom Galloway, tells 570 news that staff need to find about 7.5 million dollars in savings.
He adds that services like the Grand River Transit will be affected to some extent. “If you’re a transit user to a particular route that is not going to operate past 6 pm anymore, that may affect you personally.”
Rural transfer stations are also being closed. Staff are also proposing some minor reductions in funding towards organizations, all adding up to about 5 million dollars.
Some other services that may be affected include reducing hours at the Region’s dental clinic for low-income families, cutting funding to public art and cultural organizations, closing rural garbage depots and delaying road repairs.
Right now the police budget is at 1.1% and the target is .9%. Galloway says they have asked the Chief of Police to look at the .9% budget increase, but does not think there should be too much of a problem. “It’s just getting down to that particular level without any service cuts.”
