FRANKSTON Council’s draft annual report has been released, revealing expenditure for the 2018/2019 financial year.
The report features a detailed financial rundown of where ratepayer’s money has been going this year. Council posted a surplus of $15.7 million at the end of the 18/19 financial year, about half of the $30.7 million surplus posted the year before. The report stated that the “variation is mainly due to the minimal increase in rates capped at 2.25 per cent being much lower than the operational cost increases during the year such as the cost of material and waste disposal escalating at a higher rate. It is expected that the trend of reducing surpluses will continue in the future.”
Councillors had their annual allowance raised by $600 each on 1 December up to $30,827, while the mayor had his pay rise from $96,534 to $98,465.
Expenses from councillors dropped significantly from the previous financial year. Councillors were reimbursed just over $20,000 for their expenses in the last financial year, down from the $56,327 reimbursed the year prior.
The report also noted an over 10 per cent increase in decisions made by council behind closed doors.
The full report can be read at frankston.vic.gov.au
