Last Wednesday evening, at their May meeting, Council received reports on two documents and put them on public exhibition. They were the 'Interim COVID-19 Financial Assistance Policy' and the 'Draft 2020/21 Operational Plan and 2017/21 Delivery Program'. Both are relevant to ratepayers and this is what happened.
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Interim COVID-19 Financial Assistance Policy
At their April meeting, Council voted to allocate $720,000 to the 2019/2020 budget for the purpose of providing rate relief to those most impacted by the COVID-19 situation. And to hold a workshop to establish a process and criteria for assessing hardship applications to provide rate deferrals and/or monetary relief to ratepayers who meet the criteria.
The resultant Interim COVID-19 Financial Assistance Policy and Local Business Booster Program, was brought back to Council at their May meeting for endorsement.
Applications for the program were opened at the same time that the draft policy was placed on public exhibition.
Rate relief has been provided through the Rates Deferral program, which allows ratepayers to defer payment of their fourth quarter instalment for 2019/20 and first quarter instalment of 2020/21 until September 30, 2020. A report will be brought back to Council's August meeting detailing take-up and assessing whether extension is required.
- Apply for COVID-19 Council Rates Support HERE
The Interim COVID-19 Financial Assistance Policy and Local Business Booster Program is designed to provide support and relief to those most impacted by the pandemic restrictions. The details of the Financial Assistance program - including requirements, process and eligibility criteria - are detailed in the draft policy.
- The Interim COVID-19 Financial Assistance Policy and Local Business Booster Program is on public exhibition HERE
Submissions to Draft 2020/21 Operational Plan and 2017/21 Delivery Program
The Operational Plan and Delivery Program outlines Council's budget for the 2020/21 financial year, where funds will be allocated and to what activities and projects, as well as detailing how they will fund expenditure.
At their April meeting, Council endorsed the document to be placed on public exhibition for 28 days.
During that period 15 public submissions were received, of which:
- seven related to Council's investigations into an indoor pool;
- two to the Regent Theatre;
- two to Piambong Creek Bridge;
- one to road sealing;
- one to footpath works;
- one to Mudgee Airport Landing Fees;
- and one requested a heavy vehicle bypass, relocation of the Mudgee Airport and noise study, extension of riparian rehabilitation program to private landholders, extension of shared cycleways along the Cudgegong River, and to approach Government for a NSW National bike race starting in Mudgee.
Council's responses were:
- to confirm that the indoor pool project continues to be investigated;
- to confirm that consideration of the Regent Theatre remains in Matters in Progress (which at the May meeting lead to Council ending their investigation);
- decline the submission to replace Piambong Creek Bridge;
- confirm that the demand for road sealing is higher than what Council can fund;
- confirm that they are currently prioritising footpath works in accordance with the Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan;
- place on public exhibition for 28 days, a revised fee for Mudgee Airport Landing Fees - Mudgee Aero Club;
- decline requests for heavy vehicle bypass, etc.
Five managerial submissions were received:
- $431,093 additional expenditure for the Emergency Services Levy in the 2020/21 budget funded from unrestricted cash;
- $313,193 additional income in the 2020/21 budget from NSW Government Emergency Service Levy Rebate;
- $150,000 additional expenditure for the Floodplain Risk Management Study Stage 2 in the 2020/21 budget funded from $100,000 Grant Income and $49,999 from unrestricted cash;
- $18,500 towards the YourSay - Community Engagement web based program in the 2020/21 budget to be funded from unrestricted cash;
- $50,000 additional employee expenses in Financial Services for the continuation of the temporary position of Systems Accountant to be funded from unrestricted cash.
With those amendments and the recent amended valuations received from the Valuer General in the rate model, the document will be re-exhibited again until June 25.
- Council's Draft 2020/21 Operational Plan can viewed - and submissions made - HERE
REVISIT; the budget, where it comes from; items of interest
The earlier article 'Council's draft Operational Plan and Delivery Program is on exhibition, but do you know what's in it?' explored the Operational Plan and Delivery Program, which includes revenue and projects budgeted for in the next financial year.
Council's primary source of income (around 42 per cent) comes from rates and annual charges.
Although, just under 40 per cent comes from grants and contributions from government and industry, for capital and operating purposes.
The latter from programs such as the Federal Government's $1.8 billion injection for road and community projects, announced last week. Of which the Mid-Western Regional Council is set to receive an allocation of $1,525,932.
Calare MP and Minister for Decentralisation and Regional Education, Andrew Gee, said the funding aims to support local jobs and businesses and economies struggling under the effects of COVID-19.
"Every single job we support makes a huge difference in our local communities, both now and as we navigate out of the coronavirus pandemic," he said.
"Not only will this package support jobs and economic activity across the Mid-Western Regional Council area, it will improve our local roads and provide for new and upgraded community infrastructure, which is a great investment.
"I will be working closely with Council to make sure projects get underway to help support local employment and businesses as soon as possible.
"A broad range of community infrastructure projects will be eligible, including new or upgraded bicycle and walking paths, community facilities, and picnic shelters and barbecue facilities at parks which will provide significant enhancement to our region."
Local road projects to be delivered include - but are not limited to - constructing or improving bridges and tunnels, street lighting, and heavy vehicle facilities such as rest areas.
The funding allocation for each council was based on the Roads to Recovery formula in which the size of the road networks in each local government area is a key factor.