Council’s finances to dominate
first meeting of 2012
Wednesday February 8, 2012
After dominating discussions at the end of 2011, council’s financial situation is set to stay in the headlines for 2012 with a number of reports to the first meeting of the year concerning the budget.
Councillors will be asked whether to apply for a special rate variation for 2012-13
to help cover budget shortfalls for long term asset management and upgrades.
According to a report on the special rate variation by council’s general manager Gary Woodman, “put simply, council does not have the funds to properly maintain and repair and upgrade to the same standards its assets”.
Cr Gerard Francisco has submitted a notice of motion to tomorrow’s meeting with 12 different resolutions relating to various budget cuts for the 2011-12 budget year to ensure a budget surplus this year.
Cr Francisco has suggested a number of further cuts which could be made including a reduction in council’s wages bill by four per cent; discontinuing support of Cobar Enterprise Facilitation and Great Cobar Business Awards; reviewing subscriptions, memberships and donations; massive cuts to staff training expenses; and reviewing attendance by both staff and councillors at conferences and special meetings outside the shire.
Cr Francisco’s notice of motion has also requested an update on the various budget cutting initiatives introduced by council in December 2011.
Also on the agenda for tomorrow’s meeting are reports from the Cobar Library, Lilliane Brady Village, tourism manager, Youth & Fitness Centre and Children’s Services as part of the quarterly community facilities meeting.
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