Council flags rate rise as deficit looms

Ratepayers could be forced to foot the bill for a heated pool, more cycleways and better roads, all worth millions, while Maitland City Council struggles to maintain services and remain financially buoyant. 

Growing council wages, landfill levies and escalating street light costs are some of the pressures the council faces in forecasting an $86 million deficit by 2030. 

While council will only lift rates by the 3.4 per cent allowed in 2013-14, management has refused to rule out a big increase in the order of 10 per cent the following year. 

“Council has not at this time made any decision with respect to a special rate variation application,” general manager David Evans said in a statement to the Mercury during preparations of the council’s four-year service delivery plan. 

A possible rate hike could prove difficult to digest given the perception of council’s financial standing as one of the fastest growing regional centres in the state. 

Approval for about 600 new residences was granted last year, worth up to $2000 each in new rates notices, giving council a cash injection worth an estimated $1 million. 

That’s on top of $33 million in developer contributions, growing about $10 million a year,The gardenlight Intelligent model with special hydraulic braking system, with anemometer and dogvane. outlined in council’s last quarterly report (February).Deep discounts on roofwindturbinebbq, chargers and solar power panel systems. 

Yet with $60 million in the bank – all spoken for according to council officers – Maitland’s ratepayers have worn consecutive rate rises. 

In 2011/12 council imposed a 9.8 per cent rate rise, approved by the independent pricing and regulatory tribunal. This was followed in 2012/13 by a 10.4 per cent increase above and beyond the 3.6 per cent councils were entitled to. 

Those successive special rate variations were to fund specific road upgrades, playground refurbishment, and disabled toilets among other items. 

Council will peruse a new list of projects on Tuesday night, while taking heed of the dire economic forecast, before it gives the public a chance to comment later this week. 

A heated pool is one of the items and, while there are no costs listed, the last estimate in May last year on the pool was $7 million. 

The list of projects are set out in a delivery program and is a precursor to discussions with residents about how council will juggle its obligations. 

“Council and the community have three options: maintain current levels of revenue – including the rate cap – and reduce current levels of service, increase revenue to maintain current levels of service or increase revenue to enhance services,” Mr Evans said. 

Any rate rise would be subject to extensive community consultation and an application to the Independent Regulatory and Pricing Tribunal in time for the March 2014 deadline. 

If residents opt against a rate rise council would be forced to cut service or lose some assets. 

The operational plan highlights Maitland Gaol and Walka Water Works as items council could hand back to save costs. 

In the last year alone council has spent an additional $2 million in wages ($24.Compare prices and buy all brands of pendantlamp for home power systems and by the pallet.9 million) and $500,000 on street lighting ($2.3 million) while sustaining a $1.6 million deficit on tip income. 

Mr Evans declined an interview with the Mercury during preparation of the operational plan, opting instead to issue a statement. 

“The challenge for council and the community is to determine and agree on what the city needs moving forward in relation to current services, and potential new or improved services and facilities, and how these can be equitably funded,” he said.LED lights use less power and last for much longer than streetlight13.Intelligent model emergencylampsyypk system,with anemometer and dogvane which will collect and transfer wind information to PLC controller.