Council Finances

Consultation has concluded

Do you have questions about Mitchell Shire Council’s finances? Have you always wanted to ask a question about Council’s budget, rates or services?

Our FAQs also have answers to common questions.

Want more detailed information? Take a look through Council's 2015-16 Budget and Strategic Resource Plan 2016-19.

Do you have questions about Mitchell Shire Council’s finances? Have you always wanted to ask a question about Council’s budget, rates or services?

Our FAQs also have answers to common questions.

Want more detailed information? Take a look through Council's 2015-16 Budget and Strategic Resource Plan 2016-19.

Q & A

Consultation has concluded

Ask your question about Council's rates, finances and services. Your question will be reviewed and we'll respond with an answer privately or on the site.

Your email address will be added to our database and you'll be invited to consult on our Budget process over the coming year.

Start the conversation and post your question.

As a member of a smaller community within the shire i am bemused by the rates applied to us given the services that are provided, Yes i chose to live in a community where services are limited and i would not change that, at the time i made that choice the rates reflected the services provided and were absolutely tolerable. Since amalgamation and what would seem to be a corporate / multi national approach to revenue raising my rates have gone up over 150%. And for this increase what have i received from the shire? Nothing!!!! In fact the services provided now are far less that prior to amalgamation. Roads are far worse, community facilities run down, no access to shire office or services in the town, less representation and no real access to engage with council, So I ask what is this initiative all about ?? It should be called "ENGAGING MITCHELL'S 4 BIG COMMUNITIES" Four forums all in the 4 biggest communities, and as for the smaller ones, Out of sight out of mind while generating a substantial part of the revenue. Will council engage with the smaller communities by conducting forums in those communities??? Because if they don't it is clear they don't really want to engage with those communities and this initiative , web page and all the money spent to enable it are a waste of time.

PP asked about 9 years ago

People from all over the municipality at welcome at any of the sessions. They will have a whole-of-municipality focus. If you can't make a daytime one, you can attend an evening one and so on. Staff will also be attending various events, meetings and Council service points over the next few weeks. If you have a meeting coming up or you are part of a community group or organisation that would be interested in having us attend, please let us know and we'll do our best to get someone there if at all possible.
Over the last 3 years my rates have soared to top quartile of Victorian rates. I understand that 70% of council expenditure is on salaries. What is planned to arrest this unsustainable growth in Council wages to provide some relief and hope into the future to the long suffering rate payers?

Phil asked over 9 years ago

Mitchell Shire Council has 281 full time equivalent staff to help provide more than 100 services as well as community facilities and infrastructure across nearly 40 communities.
Staffing costs make up 41% of our budgeted expenses and are funded through a variety of sources including rates and grants. Materials and services make up 32% of our budgeted expenses and depreciation accounts for 21%.
Council is committed to identifying operational efficiency savings. For example, a restructure in 2014/15 has delivered $1.9 million in savings from previous staffing cost projections and the recurrent budget (minus depreciation) has increased by just 0.3%.
We will continue to explore how we can reduce the cost of doing business and look for efficiency savings as we prepare for the introduction of rate capping.

Our Strategic Resource Plan is currently based on a 4.5% increase in revenue from rates and charges. This presents a significant challenge in an environment of rate capping.
We will be holding a series of community conversations in coming months to better understand the community’s service priorities and to plan for the 2016/17 budget and beyond.
Information will be provided on Council's website and social media channels, through Engaging Mitchell and in local newspapers.

finances,rates,salaries,staff
finances rates salaries staff
My rates are already so expensive. I don't quilfy for any sort of assistance so mush pay what you demand. With the increase I'm even more worried then ever. Is there anything the council can do to maybe help reduce rates? Is there any chance Wallan will soon be part of Hume so that our rates will go down? Thank you

Willow1 asked over 9 years ago

Thank you for being part of our Engaging Mitchell Q&A and for your interest in Mitchell Shire Council.
Rate figures
There have been many figures circulating about rate rises.
General rates have increased but our kerbside collection charge and municipal charge have not which means the overall percentage increase will vary depending on the value of your property.
As an example, a residential property valued at $300,000 will pay an extra $1.94 a week or 6.15% extra. A $500,000 residential property will pay an extra $3.23 a week or 7.22% extra (not including the State Government's Fire Services Levy).
Efficiency focus
We are always working hard to keep rate increases as low as possible whilst still providing services, assets and programs across nearly 40 communities and restoring our financial sustainability.
Council comparisons
It is difficult to compare Councils as each area is unique.
Hume is just over 500 square kilometres in size with nearly 200,000 people plus major industrial and commercial properties. Our municipality is nearly six times as large in area and we have less than 40,000 people.
The Municipal Association of Victoria publishes comparison data based on average rates per property and average rates per head of population.
Mitchell Shire Council's average rates and charges per property are $1958 compared to the state average of $1819. The highest in the state is $2610.
Mitchell Shire Council's average rates and charges per person are $885 compared to the state average of $867. The highest in the state is $2108.
Rate payments
If you are experiencing difficulty paying your rates, please contact our rates team to discuss your circumstances and what options may be available.
Stay involved
I would also encourage you to stay involved with Engaging Mitchell as we prepare our next budget and prepare for the introduction of rate capping.
Your input will help us to work with the community to identify efficiency savings, service levels and priorities for investment in community facilities and infrastructure.

finance,rates
finance rates