McKINLAY Shire Council managed to limit its rate rise to 2.6 per cent and squeeze a $8.5 million capital works program into its 2014-15 budget, despite facing tough times along with other rural councils across the state.
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In a special council meeting on Tuesday, McKinlay Mayor Belinda Murphy passed the budget down.
General rates and utilities in the shire will increase by 2.6 per cent in line with the Local Government Index rise in Queensland.
Other major features include a substantial capitol works budget to fund designs to replace the Punchbowl Bridge, complete the Royalties for the Regions project to seal parts of the McKinlay Road, the new Participation Space, improvements to Julia Creek Airport, solar infrastructure for council buildings, new Education Traffic Park, upgrades to the community hall and essential works at the Julia Creek Swimming Pool.
Council also plans to deliver year 7 and 8 schooling at Julia Creek Middle School, a Local Business Solar Project, increase its tourism budget, increase refuse disposal operations to ensure that all landfills across the shire are maintained to a certain level and increase the Shire’s Road Maintenance Budget.
Cr Murphy said her council was very happy with the strong position this budget delivered in the face of drought and scarce funding across the state.
“From Council’s perspective rates should rise with standard costs every year if service levels are to remain the same,’’ Cr Murphy said.
“Wages, fuel and general costs rise each year as they do for every business, therefore to ensure ratepayers aren’t hit with significant catch-up rises down the track it is essential for us to do the same but we still need to strive to make savings to our operations without reducing service levels or our workforce.”
Cr Murphy said the council achieved its modest rate rise by finding savings in operational areas of the council, such as plant replacement, to provide better value for money.
While roads are getting plenty of attention in the capitol works budget, the Shire Roads Strategy will be developed this year and be open for community comment by Christmas.
McKinlay Shire Council also increased its reserves for culverts and bridges, bringing its total identified reserves to $1.6 million.
