ALBURY ratepayers will be pleased their council achieved a $1.2 million surplus last financial year.
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The council has attributed that sound result to a surplus in water and sewer funds from higher water prices and consumption.
While rate relief might not be an appropriate use of the extra money, we’re certain it might be at the top of many ratepayers’ wish lists.
So too would be the council taking the decision to fast-track works on road and other infrastructure projects set to one side because there has been insufficient money for them to go ahead.
The council last week confirmed it was chasing major state funding for the city’s $10.5 million art gallery in the lead-up to the NSW election next March.
Perhaps some of the money could go towards that project.
Finance and administration committee chairman Cr David Thurley says there is no time for indulgence with the federal government’s freeze on indexing financial assistance grants leaving the city with a deficit of more than $1 million over four years.
It seems the city already has the surplus earmarked to meet that budget hole, as well as the costs shifted to it by state and federal governments.