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The City of Whyalla is proposing a bold plan to find $160,000 in service efficiencies for the 2019-2020 financial year.
Achieving this target will help Council continue to provide, and improve, the supply of regular services, maintenance and improvement of assets and delivery of projects.
The savings target is an element of the 2019-2020 Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget that Council would like feedback on during an extensive public consultation process.
As a proposal in the draft plan and budget, the projected $160,000 in service efficiencies would be combined with the proposed 4% rate increase, rises in the Natural Resources Management Levy, increased costs in waste management and fixed charges and general CPI increases to help achieve a balanced budget.
CEO Chris Cowley said the tightening of the operational belt was just one of Council’s initiatives to help deliver a sensible and balanced operating sheet that achieves all of the local government objectives in Whyalla and more.
“No one likes it when they have pay more for anything and we understand that’s especially the case when it comes rates and services charges,” Chris said.
“Council is not immune to rises in costs either but we can focus on administrative and operational improvements, to help prevent some of the costs being passed on to residents, by embarking on this sort of service efficiencies campaign.
“I’m confident we can achieve this $160,000 target, and hopefully more, to continue providing more and more benefits to our city and its residents.”
The savings ball has already started with Council departments initiating ideas and plans to save money.
The whole Council operation will save an estimated $2500 by reprogramming photocopiers to print on both sides of the paper. The Corporate Strategy Department will be saving $350 by cancelling some printed journal subscriptions and going digital while the Communications Department has saved $778 by downgrading an image supply contract.
“These are modest savings but a good start to a campaign that is going to gather pace and quickly reach our $160,000 target and beyond,” Chris said.
“What’s more, we welcome any suggestions from residents that will help save money.
“If you have a constructive cost-saving suggestion or any other comments on the 2019-2020 Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget, please put them in writing as part of our public consultation that finishes on June 25 with cost-saving ideas welcome any time through our customer contact facilities.”
The 2019-2020 Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget, Rating Policy, Draft Summary Fees and Charges and Draft Long Term Financial Plan documents can be viewed online on at http://www.whyalla.sa.gov.au/publicconsultation with hard copies at the Council offices on Darling Terrace and the Whyalla Public Library.
To allow the public a greater opportunity to have input, the deadline for submissions has been extended to Tuesday, June 25, 2019. They can be put in writing to council@whyalla.sa.gov.au or by post Box 126, Whyalla SA 5600.
The public has another opportunity to ask questions and make submissions on the 2019-2020 Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget at Council’s ordinary meeting on Monday, June 17, 2019, that starts at 5.30pm.
Council can be contacted any time on 8640 3444 or via our website http://www.whyalla.sa.gov.au/page.aspx