January has been a very good start to the year and I would like to start off this column by talking about the Council operating budget.
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When Council handed down the budget in June 2020, Council had forecasted an operating deficit of $2.7 million for the 2020/2021 year, however, Mount Isa City Council is now on track to deliver a balanced budget.
There are still some factors that will influence the outcome, but the financial sustainability of Council is improving rapidly. This is a great outcome, bearing in mind Council did not increase rates this year.
I would like to thank the efforts of Council staff for this solid progress and also thank the Queensland Treasury Corporation, which has been working with Council since late last year and is now assisting Council with the 2021/2022 budget.
Council has a number of projects about to commence and one of the most anticipated projects is the $5.1 million upgrade of the Family Fun Precinct. This project will see upgrades to the Fun Park, the Skate Park and Splashez.
The upgrade will include extra shade areas, landscaping, the replacement of play equipment and the installation of solar panels. Council will be releasing the plans to the community shortly.
This funding was made possible thanks to the Queensland Government's Building Better Regions Fund program.
I would like to thank everyone who came along to our Australia Day ceremony and activities last month.
The turnout for the awards presentation and citizenship ceremony, as well as the attendance at Splashez Aquatic Centre and Outback at Isa - which both had free entry throughout the day, with a free sausage sizzle offered at Splashez, and free entry to Outback at Isa's Riversleigh Fossil Centre - were very impressive.
Our annual Sign-On Expo was held earlier this month at the Buchanan Park Entertainment Centre and was also very well-attended.
We were carrying out contact tracing on the day, as per COVID requirements, and counted more than 1000 people walking through the gates.
We hope many local sporting clubs and community groups were able to benefit from the increased community exposure and visitor interest in what they do and experienced a boost in their membership numbers as a result.
Just a friendly reminder to local residents that Council is looking for members for the Mount Isa 100 Years Celebration Advisory Committee for 2023, with expressions of interest closing at the end of the month.
You can find out more information - as well as the link to complete and submit an advisory committee membership application - on our website at www.mountisa.qld.gov.au/100years/
Applications are also still open for the latest round of our Community Grants and Events Sponsorship Program, which closes at 5pm on Monday, March 1.
If you would like more information or advice about the grant-application process, people are encouraged to contact our Community Development Officer on 4747 3200 or visit www.mountisa.qld.gov.au/community-grants.
For the past couple of months, each Friday Council staff have been donating a gold coin (or more) for a different charity or community organisation per month.
The Casual for a Cause initiative has so far raised almost $750, with $435.35 donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and $311.90 donated to the Mount Isa Men's Shed.
I'm very proud of this great initiative from Mount Isa City Council staff, that assists some very deserving causes.
Looking forward to another great month.
Mount Isa Mayor Danielle Slade