Council’s bank balance is tipped to go $802,000 into the red by the end of June.

Workshops have been held to help councillors decide a delivery plan and set prices, fees and charges. The last workshop is scheduled for tonight before Monday’s extraordinary meeting.

“We have had the most extensive review of Council’s finances in recent times and we have drilled down into the accounts in all areas and re-prioritised to ensure we can live within our means,” Mayor Laurie Bishop said yesterday.

“Some of the services Council currently provide may be changed in the budget review process.”

Big-ticket items such as the new landfill and upgrades of Dumaresq Dam and Armidale Airport would probably receive funding because they had strong community support, Cr Bishop said. 

“But I’d be surprised if the library can proceed under the current budget. I would prefer to go back to the community to provide a series of options as to how we could fund the library and let the community decide.”

This is a critical year for Council.

It has resolved to “stand alone” and not merge with surrounding councils under the state government’s planned reforms of local councils. “Staff and councillors have been involved in an extensive review of the operational plan to ensure we meet the benchmarks set out by the NSW government in the Fit for the Future reforms,” Cr Bishop said.

The extraordinary meeting will start at 6pm on Monday in the Armidale Council Chambers in Rusden Street.