ONE eye on the future and another on the here and now is the theme of Leeton Shire Council's operating budget for the next 12 months.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Council has laid out its plans for the 2020-2021 financial year and there's many stand out points for the community.
Feasibility studies for the possibility of a heated pool in Leeton, as well as an expansion of the Leeton Early Learning Centre will be conducted.
The upgrade of the Leeton pool, is expected by year's end, while the redevelopment of the Roxy Theatre will get underway, but more funding will likely be required for the Wamoon sewerage project.
In good news for ratepayers, council has decided it won't go ahead with a special rate variation in the new financial year.
MORE NEWS
However, this decision will be reviewed in the early half of next year ahead of budget planning for the 2021-22 financial year.
"We understand many residents have been impacted by the drought and COVID-19," Leeton shire mayor Paul Maytom said.
"Rates will only increase by the 2.6 per cent rate peg and council's service levels will remain unchanged."
While there are several big projects currently being undertaken in the shire, council has warned the community with this comes an increase in operating costs and depreciation over time.
Council currently carries about $3.9 million in loans and, while it has the capacity to take on more debt, it must be certain that it can service that debt.
With that in mind, council is proposing to borrow $2.531 million in the next financial year, which will raise its loan funding to $6.4 million.
All of this means in the coming years council will need to explore how to increase its current revenue, while keeping in mind the needs of the community.
If council is unable to raise more revenue, it will be required to reduce come of its service levels.
Residents have been invited to have their say on the draft plan by clicking here.
Council is due to adopt the plan at its next ordinary meeting in June.