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There are four main ways Council raises money:
Rates
Every property owner in Maroondah pays an amount to the Council each year called 'rates'. The amount depends on the value of the property - the more valuable the property, the higher the rates. The property owner can pay the rates all at once or in four parts called 'instalments' spread over the year.
A property valuer working for the Council reviews the value of each property every two years.
Fees
People in Maroondah pay fees for some Council services. When you go to a swimming pool, you pay an entry fee; your dogs and cats are registered each year with the payment of a fee; if you want a special rubbish collection there's a fee; when you go to a Council organised concert or art show you may need to buy a ticket; people have to pay for a building permit or for a permit to remove large trees.
There are also fees called 'fines', which are collected from people who have ignored the rules! If your library book is overdue, you pay a fine before you can borrow another one; if a car is parked too long in a restricted area, its owner has to pay a parking fine; if a dog is found wandering around the streets and taken to the pound, its owner has to pay a fine to get it back.
Grants
Each year the State and Federal Government collect money called 'taxes' from Australian citizens and businesses and give some of it to local government. Sometimes these grants are for something specific, like the development of the former Ringwood Primary School into the Maroondah Federation Estate, but Council can decide how other grants will be used.
Loans
Council can borrow money for larger projects and repay the loan over a number of years. However interest must be paid as well as the original amount borrowed, so this is an expensive way to raise money.
How does Council decide where the money should be spent?
One of the main roles of Council is to manage the money it raises and in June each year it allocates amounts of money to be spent in various areas.... this is called a 'budget'.
There are some things that must always be included in the budget - things like rubbish removal, maintenance of roads, paths, street lighting, bike tracks and parks - the things that make Maroondah a safe and pleasant place to live and work.
New projects are often suggested by people living here. For instance some might request a new netball centre to benefit the local netball clubs, other groups may want roundabouts in their street to slow the traffic, a Stop sign at a dangerous corner, a drinking tap or more play equipment in their park.
Council staff work out how much the projects would cost and who would benefit from them. Then they can work out their priorities and include them in the budget. Once a project is approved by Council it can go ahead.
Anyone can attend Council meetings to hear what is going on or to present their point of view and watch the Councillors vote on a particular issue. If there are the same number of votes for a project as against, the Mayor can use his or her vote to decide the issue. Maroondah City Council usually meets on the third Monday of the month at 7.30pm in the Council Chambers situated in Braeside Avenue, Ringwood.
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