2017 Budget 
Recreation, Roads, Library and Fire & Emergency are just some of the services that may affect you. You have an opportunity to engage in the budget process and help shape your City.
The City’s annual operating budget is approximately $700 million.The Region’s annual operating budget is approximately $2.2 billion.The planned increase for both the City and Regional taxes in 2017 is 2.98%. 

Today, our infrastructure is generally in good condition but maintenance costs continue to increase each year. We also need to plan for the future; if we don’t maintain our infrastructure in a good state of repair it will deteriorate and cost more to replace in the future.

Last year, Mississauga launched a new Budget Allocator that allows you to suggest adjustments to twelve of the day-to-day services that impact you the most. We received hundreds of comments from residents providing  valuable insights. You can find the Budget Allocator tool online at: http://mississauga2017.budgetallocator.com/#ba.

City Council will be voting on these planned increases in the coming days. If you were unable to attend my recent Budget Town Hall meeting, I still want to hear from you on what you want to see for 2018. Please send your thoughts to karen.ras@mississauga.ca.

I can assure you that both the City and Regional Councils will work to minimize the burden of tax, so that any potential increases remain affordable while continuing to be citizen-focused, fiscally-responsible and financially stable.
Region of Peel's Yard Waste Collection Ending Soon
The Region of Peel’s yard waste collection is ending in the next two weeks. Please note the following:

Mississauga: Weekly yard waste collection ends during the week of Dec. 12 to 15, on residents’ regularly scheduled collection day.

Residents are encouraged to visit peelregion.ca/waste to check the “when does it go” collection calendar for their last yard waste collection day.
Residents should place all small bundles of brush, kraft paper bags or containers of yard waste at the curb on their collection day. They are also advised to follow these instructions:
  • Small bundles of yard waste and brush must not exceed 1.2 m. (4 ft.) and 76 cm. (30 in.) in diameter and weigh no more than 20 kg. (44 lbs.).
  • Individual branches and tree limbs must not exceed 1.2 m. (4 ft.) in length and 7.5 cm. (3 in.) in diameter and weigh no more than 20 kg. (44 lbs.).
  • Yard waste should be placed in labelled, open, rigid and reusable containers, bushel baskets, or paper yard waste bags. It will not be collected if it is set out in plastic bags, recycling boxes, or cardboard boxes, or is in a container that weighs more than 20 kgs. (44 lbs.).
'Please Slow Down' Lawn Signs
With snow around the corner, I recommend removing your 'Please Slow Down' lawn signs and storing them in your garage until spring. This will preserve the signs from the elements and damage over the winter.
Be a Conservation Hero

Do all heroes wear capes? The four heroes we are highlighting as part of our Be A Conservation Hero Campaign don’t usually wear them. They only wore them to encourage you to join them and be a hero too. 
You may already a hero because of the support you provide to CVC, but you can be even more super by making a donation. Read each of our heroes stories on our website:  www.cvcfoundation.ca

You can donate online though the Canada Helps page

Your donation will directly support CVC programs such as those that protect valuable habitat by acquiring property, connect the watershed by building the Credit Valley Trail, and sustain by providing youth engagement & leadership cultivation opportunities through CVC’s Conservation Youth Corps Program.

With your help we can smash through the goal to raise $10,000 to protect, connect, and sustain the Credit River Watershed. Do it!

Donate before the end of December and Be A Conservation SUPER Hero.
Armagh's Holiday Sponsorship Program
Please see the linked newsletter, highlighting all the wonderful things going on at Armagh.
With the season of giving around the corner, please consider making a gift towards their 2016 Holiday Sponsorship Program that benefits Armagh’s families. They welcome cash donations as well as local grocery store vouchers, gift cards and presents for all age groups. For more information or to be paired with a family, please call 905-855-0299 and ask for Tara.  
Winter Councillor's Update
My winter paper newsletter will be delivered to every home in the Ward this week.I hope you enjoy reading the newsletter. Please let me know if there is anything that you would like to read more about and I will include in a future newsletter.
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