Council Hands Down Budget for 2021-22

Council has today handed down a responsible budget for 2021-22, with a $38.5 million capital works budget and no increase to current debt.

Residential rates will increase by 3.75% overall across all property rating categories in 2021-22.

Mayor Danielle Slade said this year’s budget reflects the measures Council had to take last year to minimise the impact on ratepayers during the worst of the pandemic, as well as what will need to be done in the next 12 months.

“In last year’s budget, we kept the overall residential rate increase at 0%. This year, the overall residential rate increase is 3.75%,” Cr Slade said.

“This increase is a necessary step to take. When averaged out with last financial year’s zero overall rise, it is the equivalent increase of less than 2%.

“At the end of the day, the rates need to be balanced out in order for Council to generate the revenue necessary to not just cover the operations of Council, but to deliver essential services to local ratepayers – such as waste management, water and sewer services, and road and asset maintenance and repairs.”

The $38.5 million capital works budget includes major items such as:

• $3 million for the rollout of residential smart water meters;
• $7 million for water and sewer works;
• $7.5 million for park facilities, including the Family Fun Precinct upgrade and the Gallipoli Park redevelopment;
• $2.3 million to improve the Lake Julius causeway;
• $6.1 million for ongoing road maintenance and resealing works;
• $4 million for the Materials Recovery Facility at the Waste Management Facility; and
• $1.2 million for Buchanan Park works.

Included in the $7.5 million allocated for park facilities is $30,000 in initial funding for the Miners’ Memorial.

There is also $50,000 to install new playground equipment at Captain James Cook Park, $50,000 to upgrade Selwyn Park and the Transmission Street Dog Park with shade, landscaping and park furniture, and $300,000 for a major upgrade of the Mount Isa City Lookout.

There is a new category for animal registration fees, with three years of dog or cat registration for the price of two.

Cr Slade said there are no proposed borrowings this year, meaning no increase to Council’s current level of debt.

“This will put us in very good stead for the upcoming financial year. We always strive for responsible financial management,” she said.

“We have done our best to build a responsible budget, and Council is in a healthy financial position, which we are committed to maintaining.”

Full Budget documents are available at www.mountisa.qld.gov.au/homepage/311/budget-2021-22.