Transit and paramedics big ticket items in regional budget

There will be anextra $53added, on average, tothe regional portion of your tax bill next year after Waterloo regional council approved the 2018 budget.

Sean Strickland, chair of the budget committee, said paramedic and transit services were the big ticket items in this year's budget.

"This includes the addition of two 12-hour ambulances and 10 paramedics," said Strickland in a statement. "Additionally, proposed transit service changes to improve service to Conestoga College and better integrate with Ion LRT service."

MobilityPlus accessible transit service will also be expanded.

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The region has also set aside moneyinvest in a number of other services, including:

• An emergency notification system,
• Discretionary benefits for Ontario Works clients,
• Additional staff resources at Sunnyside Home,
• Investingin new infrastructure,
• Repairing and replacingexisting infrastructure.

The total increase for the budget works out to 2.74 per cent. Regional services accounts for 2.27 per cent of that while Police services works out to 0.47 per cent.