2.3 INTERNAL FACTORS

Employee Costs

• Total Employee costs for Council staff is expected to increase by $970k or 5.4% from the 2021-22 budget. • Enterprise Bargaining Agreement increments as well as growth and movements between bandings contribute to this increase.

Impact of 2021-22 year on 2022-23 Budget

• The 2021-22 forecast Balance Sheet becomes the starting point for the 2022-23 financial year; therefore, this Statement holds the key to analysing the impact of last year’s operations on the new Budget. • The 2021-22 forecast as at 28 Feb 2022 remains consistent with the original Budget and any known material variance has been allowed for in the forecast. However, any subsequent movement to the forecast before 30 June 2022 will impact the opening Balance Sheet for 2022-23. • Transactions occurring in the 2021-22 year will have an impact on the 2022-23 Budget. These include such items as closing cash balance, capital purchases and borrowings. These will impact opening cash balance, depreciation and interest respectively.

Councillor and Mayoral Allowances

• In accordance with Local Government Act 2020, Section 39, commencing 6 April 2020, Council will pay the allowance for the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillors in accordance with a Determination of the Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal under the Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal and Improving Parliamentary Standards Act 2019. • Since December 2019, Golden Plains Shire Council has been classified as a Category 2 council (mid-level), which currently allows for the following thresholds:

Allowance

Councillor

Annualised Thresholds From 1 July 2022

$30,487

Deputy Mayor Mayoral $48,951 $97,902

The Mayor contributes a component of their salary for the use of a motor vehicle to conduct mayoral duties.