Prominent Furner grazier John Andre AM is unimpressed with the Wattle Range Council draft 2022/23 Budget.
“It seems surprising and irresponsible for any organisation of this size to run a $3.15m deficit budget the year before they hope to build a new $9.2m office,” Mr Andre wrote in his submission to council.
“It seems the main cause of this deficit is the 14% increase in staffing over a two-year period from some 125 to almost 143 full time equivalents.
“If one looks at your biggest cost area of employee costs and sees it rise 25% in one year from $11.192m to $13.952m then I think it needs another look.
“I would ask councillors to do so, especially if Wattle Range Council is expecting community support for a new office.
“I note the large increase in staff numbers is ‘partly to provide employment opportunities in the council area’.
“I do not believe this should be a priority for ratepayers to provide employment opportunities when there are so many employment opportunities around.”
