CELEBRATION: Pupils from across the Wimmera took the opportunity to dress as their favourite character for national Book Week. Pictured clockwise from above, Haven pupils Makiah McCall and Aria Coustley enjoy the celebrations; Ss Michael and John’s Primary School’s Dory, Poppy Murray; The Man with Messy Hair, Horsham West’s Kushal Chhabra; Haven Primary School’s Thing 1 and Thing 2, Lily Flett and Lilly Weir; and Harry Potter fans Jack Bardell and Xavier Stephens at Horsham West’s parade. See more Book Week photograph’s taken by The Weekly Advertiser photographer PAUL CARRACHER online at www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au.
Ararat Rural City Council
BUDGET & RATING UPDATE Ararat Rural City Council ratepayers will soon receive their 2017 rate notice in the mail following the adoption of the 2017-2018 Budget and 2017 Rating Strategy. At the Council Meeting held on August 15 2017, Council resolved to retain differential rating at the same levels of 2016 – general 100%, commercial 160%, industrial 130%, farm 55% and a municipal charge of $92. The budget was adopted with a 2% increase in the average rates, as allowed under the State Government’s rate capping framework. This outcome was one of the six recommendations handed down to Council from Minister for Local Government, the Hon. Natalie Hutchins as a result of the Commission of Inquiry into the Ararat Rural City Council. It follows two proposed Draft Rating Strategy 2017 options originally tabled by Council and a subsequent resolution that did not include differential rate categories or a Municipal Charge. The Minister has also recommended the 2017 Rating Strategy should be reviewed in time for the 2018-19 Budget. For further information contact the Manager Corporate Support on 5355 0203.
WHERE DOES THE RATE MONEY GO? The budget includes rates totalling $14.087 million. The following table shows what % of rates is spent on the various service categories. Ararat Performing Arts Centre/Art Gallery
3.4%
Emergency Services
1.8%
Building, Planning & Environmental Health
4.3%
Governance & Risk
11.7%
Capital Works
21.1%
Library
1.2%
Community Services
4.0%
Local Laws
1.0%
Corporate Services & Information Technology
10.8%
Parks & Gardens
6.3%
Recreation Services
5.7%
Customer Service
1.2%
Tourism & Events
4.3%
Economic Strategy
2.7%
Engineering Services, Road Maintenance & Asset Management
20.5%
The budget for 2017/18 allows for total expenditure of $28.58 million.
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Wednesday, August 30, 2017