Mayor proud of cuts, $1m surplus

Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan admits he has been a “scrooge” cutting dinners and other discretionary spending as part of his bid to improve the council’s bottom line.

On Wednesday Bunbury City Council took less than 10 minutes to agree on its $71 million Budget which will raise $32.4 million in rates.

Residential rates will increase an average of 4.3 per cent and non-residential rates will increase an average of 10.7 per cent.

At a morning tea on Thursday, Mr Brennan said the council had improved its Budget surplus from $40,000 last year to $1 million at June 30.

He said this had been achieved by limiting councillors’ sitting fees, conferences, civic functions and meals.

Mr Brennan called himself a “scrooge” and said he showed discipline in his spending.

The council used to provide dinner and alcohol after meetings but since Mr Brennan’s election this has been replaced by sandwiches and coffee.

Mr Brennan has also refused to hold a number of civic receptions, including for the Chefs’ Long Table Lunch and for Relay for Life, and instead donated $1000 to the organisations.

Chief executive officer Andrew Brien has been told to improve staff productivity and cut spending on consultants and legal fees.

Major projects in the Budget include the Hay Park Sports Pavilion and upgrades to the Bunbury Airport, drainage, roads and pavements.

The council will hold a special electors meeting next week to discuss concerns over rate rises of more than 25 per cent for some commercial ratepayers. Mr Brennan wants to cap rate increases for these ratepayers at 15 per cent.

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