Wattle Range Council ratepayers will contribute an extra 5.46 per cent in total rates collected by council following the adoption of its budget on Tuesday night.
New rateable properties make up .36 per cent of the total increase.
The minimum rate will remain the same as last year at $610.
According to a report presented to council on Tuesday night, the increase in rates “is in line with current the consumer price index (CPI) amount, and given these inflationary pressures the proposed revenue increase keeps pace with a majority of proposed expenditure increases”.
“For the 2022/23 year the focus of the Annual Business Plan is the continuation of the recovery from the Covid-19 emergency and development of strategies that capitalise on attracting residents and tourists to the council area,” the report said.
“In addition, council has an increased focus on investment into resources and plant and equipment to increase service delivery across the council roads and parks and gardens network.”
Council forecasts an operating deficit of $3.15m based on an income of $28m and operating expenditure of $31.4m.
It also plans to increase its current staffing levels according to the report presented to elected members at Tuesday night’s meeting.
“Provision for further employment opportunities to our community with the proposal to employ new staff members,” the report stated.
Council also adopted discounted rates for various land uses with commercial and industrial paying 92 per cent of the residential rate and primary production 67 per cent.
Curb-side bin collection charges will be reduced by 3 per cent and a rebate will be made available to pensioners of $120 for the three bin service and $90 for the two bin service.
