¶ COLLIE Shire councillors gave the green light for a 4.5 percent rate rise at their July meeting on Tuesday.
Council adopted the 2025/26 budget under which ratepayers will have the option of making rates payments in full or in four instalments.
The 4.5 percent rise is down on previous years. Rates went up by 6.94 percent in 2023 and 6 percent last year.
The increase is forecast to produce an end-of-year surplus of $33,811, as opposed to a forecast 2024/25 surplus of $94,740, effectively leading to a deficit of $60,929.
Total revenue of $14,987,634 is forecast, of which $8,052,978 will be raised from general property rates, while overall fees and charges revenue is forecast at $2.82 million.
The shire has budgeted for $17,627,133 in operating expenditure, including $7,510,236 in employee costs.
Other major operating expenses include $1,597,260 for road maintenance, $55,461 for bridge maintenance, $343,280 for verge and pathway maintenance, $627,245 for tourism and visitor support, and $2,452,732 for waste management.
It is forecast that $3,526,770 will be spent on the acquisition and construction of furniture, equipment, vehicles, plant, buildings and infrastructure assets, including carried forward projects.
As reported by the Bulletin in April, the shire’s long-term financial plan projects rate rises of 4.5 percent for the 2025/26 financial year through to 2028/29.
Thereafter, it projects rises of 3.5 percent for 2030/31 through to 2033/34.
The projected rises are a targeted revenue increase compared to the previous year, used as a guide to help determine spending, however are not locked in.