YARRIAMBIACK Shire chief executive Ray Campling believes council’s 2017-18 budget was the most challenging and frustrating he has ever worked on.
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Council approved its draft budget at a meeting on Wednesday.
It includes a two per cent general rate increase, in line with rate capping.
Mr Campling said there hasn’t been any fat in council’s budget for many years.
“It is a frustrating time and the management team have stood up and delivered,” he said.
“There are no reductions in our services and we have imposed a two per cent rate rise that equates to about $162,000 a year.”
Mr Campling said council didn’t apply to increase rates above the cap.
“We didn’t see the need to go through the rate variation process because we accepted the challenge,” he said.
“I am proud of what’s been achieved.”
Mayor Graeme Massey said the farm differential rate of 23 per cent would remain.
“Council was unanimous and very much committed to retaining the differential,” he said.
Mr Campling said council’s proposed total operating budget was $24.18 million, of which $11.86 million would be generated from rates and charges.
The proposed budget includes $7.35 million for capital works, including $4.42 million for road maintenance, $126,000 for footpaths, and $1.2 million for machinery and equipment.
Roads earmarked for reconstruction include Dimboola Minyip Road, Longerenong Road, Corrong Swamp Road, Sheep Hills Bangerang Road, Hopetoun Yaapeet Road and Goyura East School Bus Route Road.
Council proposes to spend $264,000 on halls at Warracknabeal, Tempy, Hopetoun and Sheep Hills.
It will also spend $200,000 to upgrade the Warracknabeal Livestock Exchange and $150,000 to upgrade the Warracknabeal Library.
Cr Massey said he was pleased with the community’s input into the budget process.
“Communities are becoming more understanding of the confines associated with council’s budget and the difficulty council has in maintaining service levels without increasing rates unrealistically,” he said.
“The budget is always a delicate and challenging juggling act with care taken to ensure that service provision and community needs are a priority.”