BUDGET BRIEF
M E S S AG E F RO M T H E M AYO R
Dear community, Council has endorsed no increase in rates this financial year. This decision represents Council’s understanding of the current economic climate and the cost of living. Council is committed to prudent financial management into the future and we are confident this budget will not dramatically impact the delivery of key projects or Town services. Initially a 2.5% rate increase was proposed however Council achieved 0% increase in rates by reducing budgeted funds for a 25th anniversary concert, Place Planning initiatives, materials and contract costs, and opted not to support increased Elected Member allowances or employee costs to the extent proposed. Your Elected Members spent many months in budget meetings interrogating and evaluating
our services as well as current and potential projects across the Town with a focus on growing our sustainable future. We were conscious of balancing the need to maintain the costs of essential services our community expects and ensuring delivery of projects we have identified as items of importance for 2019-2020. These include the Urban Forest Strategy, master plans for Edward Millen Park, John Macmillan Park and Higgins Park, upgrades at the Aquatic Centre plus a street scape improvement plan for Archer and Mint Streets.
You can visit our website for more budget highlights.
Inside this booklet you will find information about how your rates are spent in the Town and what improvements you can expect to see over the coming years as we continue to make our Town a dynamic place for everyone.
Mayor Trevor Vaughan
REVENUE
EXPENSES
Materials and contracts $26.7m Maintenance of street trees, parks, reserves and sporting facilites Waste collection and disposal Consultancy
Capital initiatives $26.1m
Rates $46.4m Fees and charges $9.9m Parking
Leisure memberships
Development application fees
Operating grants and contributions $3.5m Interest earning $1.3m Other revenue $0.4m Rebates and recoveries
Insurance subsidies
Employee costs $22.3m Salary
Superannuation
Leave allocation
Utilities $1.4m Insurance $0.7m Interest expenses $0.2m Other expenses $0.1m