- Latest News
The City of Whyalla is on track to maintain its recent record of modest rate rises after an amended draft budget for 2018-19 was completed today.
Council staff moved quickly to amend a proposed draft budget to achieve a revised 2.5% rate rise following a recommendation from the elected members at Monday night’s ordinary meeting.
After several informal gatherings with senior staff, financial officers and elected members, an initial draft budget was presented at Monday’s meeting. This budget proposal outlined a 5% rise in rates for the 2018-19 year which involved a 2.3% rise for CPI and a 2.7% general rise.
Following much discussion, a motion was put forward by Councillor Sarah Minney that the draft budget be amended to include only a 2.5% rate rise while also returning a zero budget deficit. Also included in the motion, which was carried, was the requirement for an updated long-term financial plan.
Council CEO Chris Cowley said the amendment meant a detailed revision of the initial draft budget but was an adjustment Council staff had embraced. He said the strength of the initial draft budget stood Council in good stead to shave $390,000 off the bottom line and reach the 2.5% rate-rise goal.
“Elected councillors expressed their concern over a proposed 5% rise in rates and consequently voted to bring that back to 2.5%,” Mr Cowley said.
“The presented draft budget was drawn up in good faith and we are pleased we have been able to revise it to fulfil the wishes of the elected members.”
Mr Cowley said the revised 2.5% rise in rates was in line with the Council’s recent track record of keeping a tight rein on the finances and rate rises to a minimum while also maintaining services and accommodating growth.
Last year’s 2017-18 budget contained no rate rise with the 2016-17 budget containing a modest 1.9% increase. This is a vast difference to the previous eight years where rates rose between 5% and 9% each year.
RATE RISE HISTORY
|
2017-18 |
0% |
|
2016-17 |
1.9% |
|
2015-16 |
5% |
|
2014-15 |
6% |
|
2013-14 |
6% |
|
2012-13 |
9% |
|
2011-12 |
6.5% |
|
2010-11 |
6% |
|
2009-10 |
6% |
|
2008-09 |
6% |
Mr Cowley said balancing the budget was always a complicated task while maintaining services to the community and the general day to day running of the city. He said Council not only had a responsibility to its ratepayers to keep rates at an affordable level but also a requirement to future generations to ensure Council remains viable and capable of servicing the city.
“The last couple of years shows the elected members and Council staff have done a magnificent job to keep rates down while also keeping council services up to scratch,” Mr Cowley said.
“A 2.5% rise is a relatively modest one considering the significant and consecutive rises residents endured prior to the last two budgets.
“The final piece in this process will presenting this revised draft budget for the general public to have input in the details.”
Elected members will meet again on May 28 to consider the revised budget and then put it out for public consultation.