Council looks to changes to balance budget

A staggering 23 changes to Bunbury's financial plan are predicted to spark hot debate and discussion at next week's Bunbury City Council meeting.

The changes include an array of new projects and cuts, including dissolving councillor discretionary funds worth $75,000 along with cutting $9000 per year from the School Chaplaincy Program.

However, it is expected the council will still be $600,000 in the red going into the 2016-17 Budget even after the changes.

The changes are part of the council's 15-year Integrated Financial Plan and have been tabled by councillors to be considered following a workshop last month.

During Tuesday's briefing session questions were already raised by councillors over deleting the council's discretionary funds, suggesting the item will spark debate next week. The funds originally started as "ward funds" and could be used by ward councillors to support minor projects which missed out on Budget allocations.

Changing to a Councillor Discretionary Fund in 2004, Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan receives $15,000 per year under the policy while councillors each receive $5000.

Mr Brennan told the _South Western Times _he supported cutting the policy, saying the money could go towards community grants.

Other cuts to be considered at next week's meeting include:

· Decreasing the operating subsidy to the Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre by 10 per cent per year from the 2015-16 base amount of $365.758.

· Funding of the Big Swamp weed eradication of $50,000, unless 100 per cent grant-funded.

· Financial support to the Bunbury Men of Song when a three-year deal ends this year.

While changes could also see:

· An extra $150,000 in the next two year's budgets for the Withers Local Area Plan strategies.

· $16,000 to reticulate the fenced dog exercise area at Hay Park.

· $20,000 in support to the Aboriginal Youth Engagement program. It is expected Tuesday's council meeting will go longer than usual, with each individual change set to be discussed and debated in the public eye.

Mr Brennan said the lengthy process would provide "full transparency" to ratepayers.

"We'll have some members of the council who will support changes and some who won't," he said.

"We'll debate and discuss all matters in the public arena."