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Budget process begins

Latrobe City Council has begun preparations for the 2004/05 budget process with the appointment of MacroPlan Australia Pty Ltd to undertake a review of its current rating strategy.

By Latrobe City Council - 26th March 2004 - Back to News

Latrobe City’s Chief Executive Officer, Richard Hancock, said the review of rating strategy would look at the level of the General Rate, Farm Rate, Rating Agreements, Municipal Charge and any concessions or rebates.

"MacroPlan Australia completed the previous rating strategy for Council in 2001 and has a proven track record in this field. They are currently working with the City of Monash, the Shire of Cardinia and others in the State on similar projects," Mr Hancock said.

"Their review will take into account the capacity of our ratepayers to contribute towards the total finances needed to deliver services in the municipality, with reference to age, income and other relevant criteria; as well as the likely impact of the current revaluations across the municipality," Mr Hancock said.

"The garbage charge for 2004/05 was set by Council at $159 per full service at its meeting on 1 March 2004, and accordingly will not form part of this review.

"The review will also have regard to the potential impact of any proposed changes to the rating strategy on the funding available to Council from the Victorian Grants Commission," Mr Hancock said.

"Property rates comprise only a part of the total rates base needed to deliver municipal services. A significant contribution also comes from State Government taxation revenue through the Victorian Grants Commission," he explained.

Mr Hancock said that to facilitate the rating strategy process, a steering committee had been set up comprising three relevant council officers together with Cr Graeme Middlemiss and Cr Peter Tyler.

"The steering committee will hold its first meeting in the next fortnight, to give direction to MacroPlan on areas of focus in their financial modelling," Mr Hancock said.

"Consultation with key stakeholder groups has already begun, as has benchmarking 2003/04 rating strategies with other comparable councils.

"Public workshops and other consultation forums will be conducted towards the end of April to ensure all stakeholders are given the opportunity to understand and comment on any proposal that Council might put forward as a preferred option. Final dates for these public workshops will be announced shortly.

"The current revaluation program is scheduled to be completed by the beginning of May 2004, and will be included in the final rating strategy report," he added.

"Following the public consultation, a draft rating strategy report will be prepared for review, prior to the final report being prepared for Council adoption," Mr Hancock concluded.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com



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