Organics program included in county budget

Simcoe County has passed its 2008 operating and capital budget. County councillors voted by a margin of 28-3 to support the budget.

Essa deputy mayor Terry Dowdall and Adjala- Tosorontio mayor Tom Walsh were among th three who opposed the budget. Innisfil Mayor Brian Jackson and New Tecumseth mayor Mike MacEachern and deputy mayor Rick Milne voted in favour of the budget. The county will be spending a combined $445 million in the budget. It also means the county-wide organic program will be implemented next year.

Oro-Meodnte deputy mayor Ralph Hough continued to state his opposition to the budget, saying it would be too much of a burden on lower and middle income residents. A $200,000 home would see a $26 tax increase, plus $14 for the organics program.