Two regional councillors are proposing amendments to help keep the $818-million cost of building light rail transit (LRT) in Waterloo Region under control.
The hope is that the amendments will keep the region's $253 million share of the cost from skyrocketing and the cost for taxpayers under control.
Regional Councillor Jim Wideman is proposing an amendment to keep the tax increase for residents to a total of 4.9 per cent over seven years.
On a house assessed at $254,000, Wideman's plan would see the homeowner pay $16.08 annually for seven years, with bus improvements included.
He wants to use budget savings from retiring the debt on two regional buildings, the Frederick Street headquarters and the 99 Regina Street building to make up the difference.
Wideman says savings the region will realize starting in 2012 when the province takes back responsibility for social services should also be put toward LRT.
In total, those savings would add up to $13 million to help ease the tax burden on residents.
Wideman says "I believe with the amendment I've brought forward that this now makes it affordable."
Without the amendment, Wideman says, he wouldn't vote for LRT.
Meanwhile Regional Councillor Sean Strickland wants the region to work with the province to ensure the LRT is on budget and on time.
He says Infrastructure Ontario, a crown corporation, has the expertise to advise on such a large project.
"LRT or BRT is complex, has more variables in terms of financing, operations and to maintain, and I think it's important for us to leverage resources that exist in the Province of Ontario and also look to private sector ingenuity."
Strickland is also proposing changes to the LRT route in Uptown Waterloo near King and Erb Streets and along Caroline Street to lessen the impact on the area.
The amendments will be voted on when regional council makes a decision on LRT next week.
