Councillors backed a motion on Monday night to inform the Essential Services Commission that Horsham council might apply to raise rates by one per cent above the cap for the four years to 2020-21.

The state government has lowered the 2017-18 cap from 2.5 to two per cent in line with slowing inflation rates.

At this stage, Horsham council has not committed to any rates rise above the cap, but it must inform the commission that it might apply in order to have the option in future.

Horsham council previously applied to raise rates by one per cent above the cap in order to fund an infrastructure gap.

Cr Alethea Sedgman said Horsham council needed to explain any rates rise application to the community.

“It’s really important that we express to the community why we are doing it and the need for it,” she said.

“There is the infrastructure gap and we need to promote this to the community rather than just say it’s a rates increase.”

Cr Josh Koenig said the council needed to target its explanation at those affected.

“In campaigning to be elected, I promoted my Facebook page. I know everyone’s not on Facebook but that’s just one avenue,” he said.

“I would have a lot more confidence in speaking to people about this if an explanation was communicated broadly.”

Cr Radford said Horsham council had been good stewards.

“We have consistently put aside money since 2008-09 targeted towards our infrastructure renewal,” he said.

“We can all rattle off projects that have been funded from this pot of money.”

Cr David Grimble said councillors needed to remember that the commission made recommendations to Horsham council.

“It talks about continuing to investigate how we might make savings in our own budget, facilitate our asset renewal and to consult with the community,” he said.

Mayor Pam Clarke said Horsham council faced a growing bill for maintaining infrastructure.

“We just don’t have the money to do it,” she said.

Mayors from around the Wimmera have said their councils will be under pressure from the lower rates cap.