Monday night was the last time the Citizens' Commission on Finance would meet before Orangeville council passed the 2007 budget, and members were in a hurry to pass a number of motions to try to have more of an effect on this year's tax rate.

The commission ultimately recommended about $616,000 in cuts to the 2007 operating budget, enough to cut the tax-rate increase to 1.65 per cent from 5.29 per cent, leaving roughly a $25 increase over last years' tax bill for the "average" home assessed at $221,300.

The commission, which earlier had proposed a number of specific budget cuts, opted to take a more general approach in motions approved Monday.

One example of the changed tactic concerned the Tony Rose Memorial Sports Centre swimming pool.

On Feb. 26, the commission passed a motion to close the pool, for a saving of $309,000 in operating costs.

Then on Monday, a motion to reduce the overall Parks and Recreation budget increase from to 10 per cent from 30 was passed, giving staff the choice of where to make cuts.

Many members thought a proposed 30 per cent increase for Parks and Recreation was simply unacceptable and irresponsible, even if maintenance of recreational facilities had been neglected in the past.

Jason Leonard said it's a great idea but there must be a mechanism in place that ensures the department won't go over budget; otherwise there could still be a 30 per cent increase by the end of the year.

That may mean a decrease in services, said Stacey Hunt, who noted the issue is that the department has never had a facilities maintenance plan.

Ms. Hunt said that when she moved to a bedroom community she didn't expect to receive the same level of services offered in a large city and consequently was prepared to make significant cuts.

She said the commission should be aggressive in its recommended cuts, since they don't have much influence, and let council make the final decisions later.

Another general motion came from Ray Daubney, who said the commission has come up with substantial savings but the heads of the individual departments should decide where cuts actually occur.

He moved to have this year's operational costs frozen at the actual 2006 costs. Although some members were hesitant, the motion passed.

Stating that he didn't find these meetings enjoyable for himself and presumably horrible for Town staff, Jim Jordan moved to disband the commission after the meeting.

He suggested residents could have their say on the budget by making presentations to council during their budget discussions. The other members did not support the idea.

No recommendations were made to the Treasury Department budget after it was presented by Treasurer Wayne Church.

Keeping in line with passing general motions, the committee agreed to eliminate the Town's grant program, which involved requests nearing $70,000 for 2007.

The commission got its first look at the 2007 capital budget, which contains a number of projects aimed to be completed over the next five years.

The 44 projects total over $27 million, with a tax levy of about $9.5 million over the five-year span.

But, Mr. Church noted that since not all projects will be completed in this time frame, staff have established a priority system, where those items listed as a top priority will be completed before an item with a lower-priority listing. Resurfacing roads such as Edelwild Drive and Wellington Street, was an example of a top priority.

A motion by Cheryl Ford to defer spending on trailway improvements and expansions until the Town is in a more sustainable financial situation was approved. Any funds proposed to come from the tax levy would be transferred to debt repayment.

The commission also voted to discontinue the Town's policy of contributing to school park funds for at least 2007.

Council will review and potentially pass the budget on March 26.