Indigo Shire has tonight endorsed its draft 2024/25 budget which will now be placed on public exhibition for the next 21 days.
In endorsing the draft, Councillors acknowledged the challenges of delivering a balanced budget that meets Council's long-term financial sustainability goals, without the need for new borrowings and staying within the rate cap.
Mayor Cr Sophie Price says, "We have again been able to achieve a draft budget that enables us to continue to deliver quality services, renew and maintain our assets and propose an ambitious capital works program."
"In preparing this draft, we've had to balance current economic factors, such as inflation, with ensuring that we are meeting the needs of our community, largely expressed through our pre-budget community engagement." Cr price says.
"We received 87 responses to our pre-budget survey and again the feedback reflects the community's desire for prioritised spending on maintaining and enhancing existing infrastructure, such as roads, drains, footpaths and community buildings, alongside a strong emphasis on promoting community well-being."
"To this end, Council is proposing to spend more than $4M on roads, bridges, footpaths, drainage, community facilities and council buildings, which is part of a huge $18.7M capital works program, of which $11.6M is being carried forward from the current budget to complete projects already approved.
Cr Price says while rates and municipal charges will increase by 2.75%, there will be a reduction in the cost of kerbside bin collection, with council passing on savings from its new waste contract direct to ratepayers.
"Taking all this into consideration, we believe this draft budget reflects strong prudent financial management, ensuring our long-term financial sustainability," Cr Price concluded.
Also on exhibition, is the Council Plan 2021-2025 Year 4 review.
