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Wednesday, August 1, 2018
Locally owned and proudly independent
TRC hands down budget By Rebecca Wallis
There were no surprises in Tablelands Regional Council’s budget when it was handed down last week, with councillors and officers sticking to their word and freezing this financial year’s rates revenue in order to address the errors. An overall increase of 6 per cent forms part of a plan to average out the rates over a two year period from this and the last financial years in order to redress the mistakes made in the 201718 rating calculations. Mayor Joe Paronella said the budget is “the start of the next chapter for council and the community” and stated that council had worked hard to address the mistakes that were made. “Part of this process is to place a freeze on total general rates revenue for 2018-19,” he said. “And cap Category F and G rates so no ratepayer will have an increase greater than 15 per cent.
‘We’re doing it for our mum’
Two Mareeba sisters are hiking to Mt Everest Base Camp to raise money for Dementia Australia after watching their mum succumb to the disease. FULL STORY P5.
“Rates redistributions in 2018-19 will resolve the errors from 2017-18 where some ratepayers paid more than intended and some ratepayers paid less than intended.” But the mood around the table was sombre as the councillors each expressed “mixed feelings” about endorsing a budget that showed a forecast deficit of $2.9million. “I believe we have done the best we can, within the parameters we find ourselves,” said Deputy Mayor Katrina Mellick. “But, to my mind, we still have a considerable way to go before I can claim contentment with our position. “This is why I am supporting this budget on the premise that we as a council consistently and conscientiously monitor our performance and continually refine and improve our position over the months ahead. This will include strategic reviews on our assets, roads, water and general efficiencies to name just a few areas of focus.” Continued P3
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