Councillors begin budget process with more money than they thought!

Date Published: 12-Dec-2012

Galway County Council has received news of a €1.65 miillion ‘windfall’ ahead of its annual Budget meeting next week, after a cutback in Government funding was much lower than anticipated.

However, the Council will find out in the coming days if it will be forced to fork out up to €300,000 for the Property Tax on its social housing stock.

Ger Mullarkey, Head of Finance with the County Council had anticipated an 8% reduction in the annual allocation under the Local Government Fund for 2013 – which equated to around €2.25m.

But the Council was notified last week that the cut would actually be 2.51%, or €600,000.

“It’s good news, and it means that we can maintain almost all essential services. The cut was a lot less than expected, which is good news, but obviously, we’re still under serious pressure,” said Mr Mullarkey.

Next Monday, councillors discuss the proposed €127m Budget for 2013 – an overall reduction of 6% on 2012.

See ful story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.