Preliminary planning indicates Wattle Range Council is set to increase its rate revenue by almost 7% in the coming financial year.
The council staff have recommended the adoption for public comment of a draft 2024/25 budget and the 60-page document will be assessed by the Audit and Risk Committee later today (Tuesday).
The proposed draft budget still has to be endorsed by the full council before it is released for public comment.
The financial indicators reveal Wattle Range Council should require a 6.3% rate revenue hike along with a further 0.32% for further growth.
Council has had a number of workshops in recent months to determine what should be funded in the coming 12 months.
Deputy chief executive Paul Duka said the 2024/25 draft budget forecasts a net operating deficit of $2.1m based on operating income of $33.9m and operating expenditure of $36.07m including $7.455m in depreciation.
Mr Duka said waste management charges have soared by an average exceeding 10% and he has recommended higher charges.
“As a result, a resident with a green, yellow and red bin will be required to pay $390 which is $38 more per annum,” he has recommended.
Mr Duka has recommended that a special council meeting be held on June 25 in Millicent where verbal submissions to the draft budget will be received for a minimum period of one hour.
Written feedback will also be welcomed.
