Budget prep continues

In planning for the 2012/2013 budget, Southern Downs Regional Council has instructed officers to prepare a budget based on a lower percentage increase than projected on the 10-year financial plan.
“Increased efficiencies and the community’s concerns about cost reduction are issues which Councillors are trying to address while still attempting to maintain service levels,” Mayor Peter Blundell said.
In preparing the budget, the council takes into consideration the Council Cost Index, which bears little relation to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) which most people are familiar with.
The CPI is a price rise index based on householders’ consumption, while the Council Cost Index is industry related and reflects the costs associated with construction.
The Council Cost Index is generally higher than the CPI as it contains the cost of building materials such as road base, concrete and steel.
The difference in these figures explains the necessity for the council to adopt higher than the general CPI increase.
“A reduction in the level of the council’s borrowings is also being reviewed, together with a reduced capital works program to accommodate a reduction in borrowings,” Cr Blundell said.
The council’s fees and charges for 2012-2013 have already been adopted, with no greater increases than five per cent, except for those areas impacted by significant cost increases to the council.
The council is continuing its budget considerations and is expected to adopt the budget by the end of this month.