South Burnett Regional Council Budget Preparation for the 2024-25 Financial Year
Preparation of the 2024/25 Financial Year commenced in late November 2023,
with Council staff preparing a draft budget in anticipation of the results of the March local government elections and the necessity for the newly elected council to adopt a budget within a limited timeframe after the Declaration of Poll for the successful candidates.
The newly elected Mayor and Councillors actively participated and contributed to the preparation and development of this budget attending 20 workshops to understand and debate all elements of the budget.
The Councillors set clear expectations as to the parameters they required in the development and delivery of “an essential and back to basics budget.”
Cost savings was a priority when debating all elements of the budget including:
- The revenue requirements for General Operations, the Water and Wastewater Program and the Waste Program.
- Reviewing the operational expenditure for the whole of Council.
- Reviewing the outputs of and the implications of the Rate Models for the above programs.
- Reviewing the key influencers of Council’s budget – External Funding and the Borrowing Program
- Depreciation increases which have impacted the bottom line
- Developing three year capital investment programs for all key asset classes – Parks and Recreation, General Buildings, Water, Wastewater, Roads and Drainage, Plant and Fleet and Information Technology.
- Reviewing the effects of the Valuations for the Region.
- Reviewing the Differential Rating Categories in light of valuations.
There was a significant information exchange during this time with the Councillors being provided the opportunity to take a deep dive into the budget line item by line item in terms of the revenue and expenditure requirements for the coming year.
The budget with a projected overall operating deficit of $3.6 million moving to surplus in 2028-2029 will continue to review all areas of council operations to balance basic need with good governance and affordability.
For further information contact Council on 4189 9100 or email info@sbrc.qld.gov.au.
