Mount Alexander Shire Council has adopted its 2019 – 2020 budget, which will fund more than 100 services and projects to meet community needs now and into the future.
At the Council Meeting on Wednesday 12 June, Council adopted a $43.63 million annual budget including an investment of $16.72 million in capital works.
An operating spend of nearly $27 million will allow council to deliver important services to more than 19,500 residents who call Mount Alexander Shire home.
The budget includes an increase to average rates income of 2.5% in line with the rate cap. Properties are now valued annually so some rates will increase by more and others less.
Council rates fund important services like maternal and child health, home care and social support for older and vulnerable clients, managing our public open spaces and leisure facilities, supporting local arts, culture, tourism and local businesses, and planning.
The capital works budget will cover upgrades and improvements to vital infrastructure like roads, bridges, footpaths, drains and community buildings.
Rate payers will see the waste charge rise by an average of 3% to maintain rubbish and recycling services at existing levels in the light of the global recycling crisis.
Mount Alexander Shire Mayor Bronwen Machin said Council has gone through a thorough process to develop the budget to deliver services in a sustainable way.
“The budget further funds priorities in our 2017-21 Council Plan, which sets out how we will deliver on our vision to be an innovative, creative and connected shire,” said Mayor Machin.
“We are proud to be able to deliver a strong budget while facing continuing challenges such as rate capping, cost shifting and the increasing cost of capital works.
“In addition to funding core services to meet the broad needs of residents of all ages, we have scheduled an ambitious capital works plan to improve community infrastructure,” she said.
More than a quarter of the capital works program is funded by government grants or is subject to government grants, as Council continues to work behind the scenes to source more grants.
“Like most rural councils, we are constantly challenged by the need to provide a variety of valued programs, works and services for our community in a financially sustainable way.
“We need to maintain a focus on our long-term financial position, continue to review our services, and improve processes and efficiencies.
“Thank you to the staff who worked with Councillors to compile this budget. I encourage residents and ratepayers to take a look at the full document or the budget summary,” she said.
The budget and summary are available on Council’s website, and printed copies are available from the Civic Centre and Castlemaine Library.
Read the budget summary.