Exploring the 2021-22 Draft Budget!
| Get Involved Livingstone Shire
Preparing the Annual Budget is an essential part of any Local Government. Understanding what goes into the process and weighing-up all of the demands for services, how they will be paid for, while meeting legal and policy requirements can be a complex Balancing Act! We want to give our residents the opportunity to understand what goes into building the budget. Council's interactive budget tool (or simulation) will help grow your understanding of the budget process. You can dive in right now and navigate your way around the Spending and Revenue Tabs, remembering that you have $136M to balance! What's in the budget tool? Each draft budget item has a $ amount, details on where the money comes from and where it is likely to be spent in 2021/22. Overall, the budget items cover: Spending - Capital and Operating expenditure - what it costs to deliver the services to the Shire; and Revenue - Rates and other income for 2021-22, and any proposed borrowing needed to cover operating expenses (there are limits on how much Council can borrow). Council also has longer-term projects that are not easily changed. For example, Stanage Bay Road upgrades, Capricorn Memorial Gardens, or projects where what is delivered and the cost is still being assessed. Spending on these projects (or capital projects) is required to ensure Council delivers these vital projects to the community. We conducted a Budget Priorities Survey in 2020-21 - check out what you said and how you wanted money allocated. How do I use the tool? Click on the Build Your Own Budget tab below, you can see where the money is spent, move money around or raise more income by increasing rates revenue. If you adjust one item of spending you have to take it away from another. You can also make comments on changes as you go. There are complex decisions to make, it is not something you will probably do quickly, so please allow time so you can fully understand the decisions. When moving the money around think about: What services are needed now or in the future? What is financially responsible? Will adjusting rates affordability affect the services already provided? Will changing the money to this item mean a lower or better service to the community? Who benefits from changes and who should pay? If l spend more, will increasing rates or borrowing be something the community would approve? The key rule is that you can submit your entry with a SURPLUS but not a DEFICIT. For answers to other questions on the budget tool see the FAQs. Would you like to provide a formal pre budget submission to Council? Livingstone Shire Council is calling for community input in to the 2021-2022 budget. Council encourages the community to take the opportunity to send in suggestions to be considered in the 2021-2022 budget process. Please complete all questions in Pre Budget Application survey tab below and attach any supporting documentation to assist Council in considering the submission. Submissions will be heard: Tuesday 8 December 2020 / time (T.B.A) / Council Chambers, Lagoon Place, Yeppoon. What happens to your changes? Once you have completed all of your changes you can save (or "submit") them. The information you provide will help us with budget deliberation discussions that begin later this year. Council will produce a Draft Budget and come back to you in April 2021 for your thoughts! What if l don't have access to a computer/mobile device? Council will be holding two interactive information sessions on Wednesday 28 October 9am and 11am. Please email communications@livingstone.qld.gov.au to RSVP as numbers are limited. Thank you - we really appreciate your time and input.