Learn about the budget process

AHEAD of the development of the City of Ballarat’s next budget, the municipality is engaging with residents about the budget process.

Community consultation is open on the City’s MySay website until Friday 31 October and drop-in sessions will be held at the Phoenix Customer Service Centre on Tuesday 28 October from 2pm until 5pm and Thursday 30 October from 9am until 12pm.

Mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves said the engagement period is about making the budget process more accessible for everyone.

“We know the budget can feel complicated, but this is a chance to see how decisions are made and why some priorities are fixed while others can adapt to community input,” she said.

“We want residents to feel informed and connected to how council invests, because these are ultimately the services and projects that their rates make possible.”

Each year the budget is developed drawing on the municipality’s strategies, frameworks and long-term commitments including the council plan 2025 to 2029 and the community vision 2025 to 2035.

It shows how resources will be allocated to provide more than 80 services such as waste collection and recycling, local roads, and maternal and child health.

About 70 per cent of income comes from rates and user fees with the remaining coming from grants and government.

About 70 per cent of revenue is spent on services such as waste collection, maintaining roads, parks and libraries, while the remaining 30 per cent funds capital works.