General News
2 August, 2024
Disgrace of missed deadline
Inability to meet a Victorian government budget deadline has put Horsham Rural City Council on a collision course with the state.
Horsham Rural City CEO Sunil Bhalla on June 19 requested an extension of time to complete council's annual budget, due by June 30.
Local Government Victoria executive director Mike Gooey, in his reply one week later, told Mr Bhalla an extension was not possible, and urged council to seek "urgent legal advice".
It is believed that failure to adhere to the state government's budget deadline - applicable to all Victorian regional municipalities - is unprecedented.
HRCC adopted the 2024-25 budget at its monthly meeting on July 22, almost a month later.
But its legality remains in question, and the consequences to Horsham Rural City remain unknown.
In his letter to Mr Bhalla on June 26, Mr Gooey said council's ability to raise rates and charges on properties and to expend its revenue - in other words, its ability to properly administer its functions - could now be "in jeopardy".
As a result, Mr Gooey said he was obligated to report the council to the Chief Municipal Inspector.
In response to questions from The Horsham Times, Horsham Rural City Council released this statement on Monday:
"On 19 June, Council notified the Minister for Local Government of the delay in adopting the budget.
"While we didn’t receive a formal reply from the Minister, a letter was received from Local Government Victoria on 26 June, which noted that given the timing of Council’s letter, it was not possible to consider another date for the adoption of Council’s budget.
"Our budget was formally adopted at the Council meeting on 22 July.
"At this stage, the Council has not received further correspondence from Local Government Victoria or the Minister for Local Government on the matter."
It is understood Horsham Rural City Council is due to stage its annual Talks Expo on August 9 and 10, when it invites residents to engage with officers and staff to discuss council projects and business.