Rates to rise by 5.9pc

Councillors voted to adopt its 2013-14 budget at a special council meeting on Monday.

Rates and charges were identified as an important source of revenue in the budget, accounting for 44.6 per cent of the total annual revenue.

The latest rate increase takes into account rises in the consumer price index, the construction price index and projected increases for fuel, water and power.

Shire of York President Tony Boyle said it was necessary to balance the importance of rate revenue as a funding source with community sensitivity to increases.

‘The budget is a continuation of the sound planning and financial management for the necessary asset preservation, expansion and the service delivery needs of the community,’ Mr Boyle said.

‘This budget is the first in the new regime of integrated planning required from all local governments to take into account the community strategic plan, asset management plan, 10-year financial plan, corporate plan and workforce plan. The plans allow the council to plan and manage for both the short and long term, based on sustainability principles to develop and grow our shire.’

The budget includes government funds to be used if a proposed merger of the shires of York, Quairading, Cunderdin and Tammin goes ahead.

It was revealed in the budget that property valuations across the district during 2012-13 had decreased by 14.6 per cent.