The 2018/2019 Budget proposes a 2.25 per cent increase in rates revenue in line with the Fair Go Rates System. Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor Cr Kim O’Keeffe said “Council again elected not to apply to the Essential Services Commission for a variation ensuring a financially sustainable budget for the coming financial year.”
“Council’s budget aims to generate an operating surplus, to fully fund asset renewals and to borrow responsibly,” said Cr O’Keeffe. “What was presented for adoption was a financially responsible budget which achieves a balance between wants and needs in order to efficiently manage our resources and provide high quality services and infrastructure to our community,” said Cr O’Keeffe.
The rate increase and a two per cent increase in kerbside collection charges will generate $76.48 million, excluding supplementary valuations. The proposed rating structure for 2018/2019 has been informed by the Rating Strategy 2017-2021 and sees a reduction in the number of rating differentials and a reduction in the municipal charge.
The 2018 revaluation (property values used to determine rates) has been completed and from next year the Valuer General Victoria will be doing annual valuations.
In the 2018/2019 financial year Council will be spending $16.22m on council managed roads within the municipality and $7.5m has been committed to the new SAM building.
The Budget 2018/2019 was endorsed by Council on 24 April 2018. Public notice was given on 27 April 2018 and submissions invited. The submission period ended on 25 May 2018 and 39 submissions were received. Thirteen of the written submitters elected to be heard at a Special Council Meeting on 5 June 2018.
The submissions ranged in content however generally contained the following themes:
- Off leash dog park – infrastructure improvements (28 submissions)
- Support for the funding of the Australian Botanic Gardens (3 submissions)
- Mooroopna Community Plan (1 submission)
- Shepparton East Community Plan (1 submission)
- Tatura Community Plan (1 submission)
The Off-leash dog park received $15,000 in the budget to fund capital improvements to the existing park. “Regardless of the outcome, everyone should be very proud of their efforts in preparing their submission and presenting to Council, which can be daunting,” said Cr O’Keeffe.
“This key process shows that Council listens to our residents and we can work together for mutually beneficial outcomes. Thank you to all who either made a submission or presented to Council,” said Cr O’Keeffe.
Greater Shepparton City Council Director Corporate Services Chris Teitzel said that in simple terms the budget can be broken down into two main areas, how much we plan on spending and how much income we need to fund this spending.
“The spending is made of two components, the operating budget and the capital budget. The operating budget tells you what it costs to run the Council every year and the capital budget includes physical infrastructure, buildings and operational assets as well as funding proposals for these projects,” said Mr Teitzel.
