‘Surplus’ funds under review

By Alison Noonan
Mayfield Ward councillor Kevin Bradford recommended that council officers commence work on the feature, which would be located at the front of the Old Shire Offices on Sladen Street, and fund the estimated $40,000 project as over expenditure from leftover monies in council’s current budget.
“I know what some councillors are thinking but we all have to have a go at it,” he said at Tuesday night’s council meeting.
“This is an opportunity to create a positive design, beautify the area and add to the uniqueness and history of the area.
“I am aware there is over expenditure in various projects and this project may not even cost $40,000. It may come under,” he said.
However, Cr Lucas criticised Cr Bradford’s plan, claiming it would set a precedent for other councillors to bid for surplus funds to allocate to different projects each week.
“This is not a good call,” Cr Lucas said.
“If it’s $40,000 this week, someone else will pop up and ask for $50,000 next week and more the week after.
“That is the wrong way and that is why we do budgets a couple of times a year,” he said.
Cr Lucas said council should not be allocating funds to projects that it did not know were available.
“I want a report that says we have these funds and if we do have surplus then I’ll support it.
“But it is unfair to the other councillors to consider one project but not have the opportunity to consider other projects.
“This is a good project but we need to look at what funds are available,” he said.
It was agreed that a report would be presented to the next council meeting indicating what surplus funds were presently available to allocate to the floral clock and other projects in Casey.