Small rate hike looms as Shire of Broome councillors back 2021-22 budget

Rates in the Shire of Broome will increase by 1.83 per cent after councillors voted to adjust funding for planned projects to offset financial hardship in the region. A recommended general rate rise of 4.24 per cent was put to councillors, but they sought to limit any rate changes and voted in favour of the budget being adopted with a 1.83 per cent rate increase, six votes to three. The minimum repayment, which hasn’t changed since it was reduced by $4 in the 2016-17 financial year, will remain at $1220 a year for all categories except UV-mining, set at $500. Total rates generated from the UV-mining category account for 0.61 per cent of total rates for FY2021-22, down 0.06 per cent on last year’s proportion. A total of $23,992,547 in rates revenue will be budgeted for FY2021-22 — an increase of less than $700,000 from the year prior — contributing to a total income of $39,533,434. Total comprehensive income is forecast to be down more than $21 million to $2.2 million, reflecting the $20 million reduction in non-operating grants, subsidies and contributions. Remuneration, fees, expenses and allowances provided to the Shire chief executive and councillors will be maintained at current levels — 75 per cent of the maximum allowable limit for all except ICT and travel allowances, both set at the maximum allowed. A possible power tariff and insurance premium increase of up to 10 per cent, a two per cent increase in employee salaries as a result of the 2020-21 salary freeze ending, and a loss in investment revenue of $500,000 due to the reduced interest rates were factors in budgetary decisions. Shire of Broome president Harold Tracey said ratepayer money was not spent lightly and every project proposed for the year ahead had been examined “with a fine-tooth comb”. “A 1.83 per cent increase in this year’s rates is modest compared to other local governments around WA and we’ve tried to ensure our ratepayers are getting bang for their buck with this carefully crafted budget,” he said. Council will set aside $5.24 million for asset renewal in the financial year, $1.5 million for the skate park redevelopment and $867,000 for design costs associated with the Cable Beach Foreshore Revitalisation Project.