Macedon Ranges residents will receive a $23 credit to their next municipal charge, following incorrect charges levied in the 2023-24 budget.
The council approved the revised budget on September 27, which reduces the municipal charge from $212 to $189 per rateable property for the 2023-24 financial year.
Speaking at the meeting, acting director corporate Travis Harling said officers identified the declared rates and charges levied as part of the council rates for 2023-24 were higher than required.
“As a result an adjustment is required to this charge with a credit applied to the impacted rateable properties,” he said.
“To allow adjustment to be made to the previously declared rates and charges, council is required to prepare a revised budget.”
In the agenda, the council said once the issue was identified officers took steps to ensure that it could not recur in future budgets.
The adjustment will reduce the previously forecast income from the council’s municipal charge by approximately $560,000.
This will be managed through the council’s usual financial management processes, including the mid-year budget review.
The council originally adopted its budget on June 28, with an average rate increase of 3.5 per cent.
At the meeting discussing the draft budget in April 26, council said it was prepared in relation to cost of living increases, council’s cost of doing business and the complexity of extreme weather and unprecedented events.
Zoe Moffatt
