Murray River Council has established a Revenue Taskforce Advisory Committee to provide advice to Council on options to generate increased revenue to support services and expenditure.
Council says the Committee will operate for a 12-month period, report to council monthly and deliver a final report at the end of its tenure with recommended directions to support increased revenue.
Council CEO, Terry Dodds said now is the time to review processes around expenditure and revenue.
“All councils face significant financial challenges, recently exacerbated by the impact of COVID,” he said.
“But changes in populations and demographics, unabated cost shifting by the State, rates capping that is less than inflation, and the requirement to replace assets with the modern standard equivalent are the longer-term drivers.
“While council is already implementing a program of continuous improvement in its business operations, the Revenue Taskforce Advisory Committee will focus on the need to identify ways of generating increased revenue to support the expenditure requirements of our communities.”
Mr Dodds said having additional or improved income streams will also assist council comply with two of the government’s requirements in relation to meeting the ‘Own Source Revenue’ and ‘Operating Performance’ ratios.
The Committee will comprise membership of the Mayor and representative councillors from all three council wards.
The Committee will be supported by Council administration, led by the new, temporary position of Director Special Projects to drive the project over the next twelve months.
“This will be a huge undertaking for twelve months, and a project that links to every function of council,” Mr Dodds said.
“But we have an obligation to seek to improve outcomes for our communities under what has become increasingly difficult financial circumstances.
“The establishment of a Revenue Taskforce Advisory Committee will assist the Council determine its financial pathway into the future.”
