Wodonga Council ticked off on a zero per cent rate rise for 2020-21 on Monday night, largely in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
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The Victorian government rate cap had been set at 2 per cent, but for the first time since the introduction of rate capping in the state the council has decided to forego raising rates at a cost of an additional $800,000 in revenue.
However, there is a proposed increase in waste charges of $5.30, calculated on a reduction in the garbage and recycling kerbside charge of $5.40 and an increase in the waste management levy of $10.70 per household.
The waste charges have been estimated on the actual costs of providing waste services and not funding other services which was happening under a previous waste management levy over-charge exposed by the Ombudsman.
IN OTHER NEWS
The council's rates and charges revenue from 2020-21 is $47.1 million with a projected surplus of $11.5 million.
There are no new borrowings proposed for next financial year and no rate cap variations proposed for the next decade to offset the decision not to lift rates in 2020-21.
The council debt is down to $16 million after topping out at more than $30 million.
The capital works program for 2020-21 will be $23.5 million including $5.8 million for asset renewal.
Major capital works includes $7.4 million in stage one works at Baranduda Fields sporting complex, $5 million on the gallery-library development and $700,000 for the Les Cheesley Oval pavilion redevelopment.
But the total capital works program includes a carry-over $10.12 million worth of projects due to delays experienced since January such as the library redevelopment and gas gate installation at Logic industrial hub.
Mayor Anna Speedie said the zero rate rise did come at a cost.
"There is nearly $1 million cut to our operating budget," she said.
"We've been very targeted in this budget.
"What we spend as a council stays here from capital projects right through to our service delivery.
"But we do have a lot of our businesses hurting and how do we get people back here?
"I think we are going to swing into the domestic (tourism) market as people can't travel overseas and people are going to look to reconnect with family and friends."
The budget will be adopted on June 29.