Revised council budget approved

THE municipal budget for the 2021-22 financial year was passed by Golden Plains Shire councillors at last week’s regular meeting on Tuesday, 29 June.

Director corporate services Philippa O’Sullivan said the document has been prepared with respect to the principles within the 2021-2025 Council Plan.

Fourteen public submissions were received by the Shire during the recent draft budget feedback period.

“A number of amendments have been made to the budget following the public exhibition,” she said.

“The final key budget points to note are a total operating revenue of $54.9 million, and operating expenditure of $47.3 million which enables us to continue to deliver services to the Golden Plains community with an increased focus… on infrastructure maintenance.

“This results in an operating surplus of $7.6 million. Once we remove the one-off capital grants received from external agencies, we end up with an underlying deficit of point-four million dollars [$400,000].”

Ms O’Sullivan said the municipality has an operations in-flow of cash worth $14.9 million, and the Shire is will invest $18.2 million into the capital works program.

Golden Plains Shire mayor Cr Helena Kirby said residents’ ideas have been well considered and are reflected in the document.

“Council’s budget for the next year sets out our commitment to operating more than 70 services for our communities and maintaining our assets and infrastructure under the rate cap of 1.5 per cent,” she said.

“As our Shire continues to feel the impact of COVID-19, Council is proud to provide a further $50,000 to its COVID-19 Financial Relief package, and an additional $50,000 towards a COVID-19 recovery package.

“Thank you to our residents who provided feedback during the recent consultation process. We heard what the community told us and have incorporated a number of changes to the draft budget, including reducing the proposed increase to the waste management charge by $6.”