¶ AN ADDITIONAL $35,000 has been allocated for Collie Shire administration building repairs and refurbishment following the shire’s mid-year budget review.
Shire chief executive officer Phil Anastasakis informed councillors at their March meeting that savings and increased revenue identified in the review had resulted in the forecast end-of-year surplus being raised from $26,498 to $215,722.
Council gave the go ahead for four budget amendments totalling $110,000, resulting in an amended forecast surplus of $105,722.
The $35,000 for administration building and repairs brings the total 2024/25 budget allocation to $47,000.
This will go towards modernising the work environment for employees, including the shire’s IT systems, helping with attraction and retention of staff.
An additional $25,000 has increased the budget allocation for the waste reserve to $75,000, and the budget allocation for the building reserve has increased by $25,000 to $125,000.
A $350,000 transfer to the plant reserve has been increased by $25,000, bringing its budget allocation to $375,000.
The additional allocation will help streamline the changeover schedule for essential plant and vehicles, given many existing light vehicles are overdue for replacement.
Mr Anastasakis said the amended forecast is “an improvement on the original budget estimate” and a “positive outcome”.