Council budget ‘fantasy’

THE Kingborough Ratepayers Association has described the Kingborough Council budget as a fantasy and is calling for staffing cuts instead of large pay rises to help balance the books.

Kingborough Council general manager Gary Arnold said employee costs in the 2018/19 budget were $14.52 million against a budget of $14.09 million in 2017/18 — a difference of $430,000.

“Salary increases are primarily dictated by the enterprise agreement, which is currently 2.5 per cent per annum,” he said.

At a meeting on Monday night the budget was rejected by some councillors, forcing the council to hold another budget meeting on Wednesday to debate the proposed 4 per cent rate rise.

“Councillors who spoke against the budget motion said it was not delivering what the ratepayers wanted and far too much was being spent on vehicles and plant and equipment, that could be readily hired when needed,” association president Mervin Reed said.

“The budget is also bitterly opposed by the Kingborough Ratepayers Association, which sees no cuts to staffing, rather, large pay rises and more cars to drive home.”

Mr Reed called for the budget to be balanced and the rates kept at 2.9 per cent for the next financial year.

Mr Arnold dismissed claims that too much money was being spent on council cars.

“All trade vehicles form part of a council pool of vehicles, and are extensively used throughout the day on council business by all staff,” he said.

“Only a limited number of staff have private-use vehicles.

“There were no new additional vehicles purchased in the 2017/18 year.”