It has taken 18 months to appear, but the promised ‘new-look’ Murrindindi Council is presenting a balanced 2018-19 draft budget, with real hopes that ratepayers’ financial concerns have finally being heard.
Rather than the hefty rates rises of past years, Murrindindi Councillors are proposing an across-the-board 2.15 per cent increase, slightly below the Victorian State Government’s ‘Fair Go’ cap.
Councillors are looking to increase service levels to residents, funded by efficiencies and savings.
Thanks to comprehensive financial planning work by new Chief Executive Officer Craig Lloyd and his leadership team, the Council is proposing no new debt throughout 2018-19.
Indeed, Council will look to pay down its relatively-low existing debt of $700,000.
An earlier plan by Councillors to bring down $½-million-deficit budgets in each of four years looks to have been dropped.
The adoption of a responsible budget, where the Council lives within its financial means, is encouraging news.
Murrindindi Council will introduce free green waste deposits at resource recovery centres across the municipality.
The future of recycling in the Shire remains uncertain, in the face of the Australia-wide crisis.
Some residents elsewhere have been told their recycling waste will now be dumped into landfill because it is too expensive for the local council to recycle.
Murrindindi Council is uncertain if the State Government will assist financially with recycling management beyond June 30.
The Council is flagging that ratepayers may face increased recycling costs in the future, but is yet unable to predict outcomes.
The Council believes it is on track to have the 2016-17 and 2017-18 years, when combined together, to have run balanced budgets. A $2.1 million deficit is likely for 2017-18. The balanced budget for 2019-19 will be heartening news for ratepayers
– Editor