Upper Hunter Shire Council has endorsed a 33% per cent rate rise over the next three years.
The vote was 7-2 in favour of the steep increase after the recent approval of a Special Rate Variation by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (iPART).
Councillors McGill and Stolz voted against.
Upper Hunter Shire Council last night also agreed to borrow $3-million dollars each (total of $6-million) out of the water fund and sewer fund reserves to maintain cash flow in the council’s bank accounts.
General Manager Greg McDonald told the meeting the Council would be breaching the law if it didn’t maintain a positive cash flow.
The vote was 7-2. Councillors McGill and Stolz voted against.
The loans will now require approval from the Office of Local Government.
