Budget adopted at second attempt
LOUTH county council at the second attempt adopted a €130.5m annual budget for 2021 after a controversial amendment which had been passed at the original meeting was jettisoned.
Members had agreed on a 1211 vote to distribute a €225,000 discretionary fund on a population basis, rather than equally (€75,000 each) between the three districts of Dundalk, Ardee and Drogheda.
The amendment was proposed by Cllr Conor Keelan who explained it would mean €101,000 for Dundalk, €46,600 for Ardee and €78,000 for Drogheda
However, when it came to adopting a budget with that resolution included, members failed to pass a budget on the casting vote of Cathaoirleach Dolores Minogue.
At a reconvened meeting last Thursday, Cllr Liam Reilly, who had voted against his Fianna Fáil party colleague’s amendment, proposed that the money in question be divided equally
between the districts.
This was seconded by Emma Coffey (FF), cathaoirleach of Dundalk MD.
When put to a vote, the proposal was passed unanimously by the 28 councillors in attendance. Cllr Andrea McKevitt was absent.
Members then proceeded to adopt a budget for next year, which included a base rate of €0.21 and 50% rates rebate on vacant properties, both the
same as 2020; as well as the transfer of €19,150 for conferences to councillors’ allocations.
Cllr Reilly’s amendment included that there will be ‘future meaningful discussion’ in how the discretionary fund is dispersed in the new year.
All seven Sinn Féin representatives voted against the budget as did Cllr Maeve Yore (Ind), but it still went through on a 20-8 vote.