A tough budget in tough times, the City of Ballarat's draft budget includes a freeze on rate increases and $17 million in borrowings.
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The draft budget will be released for discussion on Wednesday ahead of the council's first virtual meeting.
Public comment is then invited, before the final budget is adopted in June.
The rationale in the agenda states the principal components will be a zero per cent rate increase, a zero per cent increase in fees and charges, and $17 million in "new borrowings".
City of Ballarat mayor Ben Taylor said the measures were a direct response to the coronavirus.
'The $17 million in new borrowings outlined in the draft City of Ballarat 2020/21 budget is to cover expected financial shortfalls from the COVID-19 pandemic, including facility closures and an expected rate revenue decrease," he said in a statement.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? HAVE YOUR SAY BELOW
The waste management charge will be set at $363.10, and the green waste charge at $70.30.
It's understood new capital works will be kept to a minimum, with the focus on works already announced and committed to in previous budgets.
Also mentioned in the agenda, the draft budget will include submissions on rate rebate measures for pensioners and properties zoned Recreational 1, and potentially a rates waive for Recreational 1 properties.
READ MORE: Council faces $15m shortfall
"The objective of this waiver is to provide financial assistance to those sporting and recreational clubs that are required to pay rates," the agenda states.
Ratepayers who qualify for concessions, and who live alone and are solely responsible for paying rates and charges on that property, are eligible for a $95 waiver on their 2020-21 rates.
Residents have until June 8 to make written submissions on the budget, before a special meeting of council on June 17, where submissions will be considered.
Residents can request to present their submission at that meeting - the agenda states if social distancing measures are still in force, the submissions may be read on on their behalf.
"Council will endeavor to investigate all possibilities to enable those submitters wishing to heard to be personally heard on the night," it states.
The budget will be considered and adopted at the June 24 meeting.
Residents can request to present their submission at that meeting - the agenda states if social distancing measures are still in force, the submissions may be read on on their behalf.
"Council will endeavor to investigate all possibilities to enable those submitters wishing to heard to be personally heard on the night," the agenda states.
The budget will be considered and adopted at the June 24 meeting.
Previously, it was estimated council could be facing a $15 million shortfall, and was anticipating losing six months of revenue from fees and charges, as well as closed-down facilities.
It's understood council will continue lobbying the federal and state government for infrastructure project funding to help stimulate the economy, including four projects through the Australian Government Land Transport Infrastructure Projects program.
The news comes as the state government announced another $491 million in tax relief, as well as freezing several fees, levies, and fines due to be increased.
In a media release, Treasurer Tim Pallas said businesses participating in JobKeeper will be exempt from payroll tax and the WorkCover premium if their staff are currently stood down.
Car registration, traffic infringements, court-imposed penalties, permit fees, and the Fire Services Property Levy will remain at 2019-20 levels.
The landfill levy increase, which would help pay for the new Recycling Victoria program announced in February, has also been deferred.
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