Northern Grampians Shire Council has staged its first meeting since local government elections took place in October.
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Thursday morning's six-and-a-half-minute-long meeting, by video link, saw the five representatives decide which of them would certify the council's financial and performance statements for the year to June 30.
The council was required to await clearance from Victoria's auditor-general before the nominated councillors could sign the statements.
Karen Hyslop was one of the two councillors initially picked to do this, however she resigned on Monday, compelling the council to again authorise two councillors to sign the statements.
Councillor Kevin Erwin moved the motion to authorise himself and Mayor Murray Emerson for the task. This was seconded by Councillor Tony Driscoll and all five councillors voted for the motion.
Following this, Cr Emerson welcomed Councillor Lauren Dempsey to her first ever meeting of the council, wishing her luck for the next four years.
Cr Dempsey replied she was looking forward to being a voice for the community.
The council is made up of seven councillors normally, with two more to join after by-elections are completed.
What the statements say
The council finished the 2019-20 financial year with a surplus of $1.477 million.
The report notes the COVID-19 crisis cost the council around $300,000 in lost revenue up to June 30.
This was due to the Stawell Sports and Aquatics Centre and the St Arnaud Early Learning Centre losing attendees or being forced to close.
"There was minimal impact on staffing costs as the majority of impacted staff were redeployed," it said. "While the council offered ratepayers deferred payment of rates and charges, this initiative did not result in any material impact to the financial statements."
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The report says there were also roads and projects that were not started or incomplete because the council could not get contractors on board due to restrictions.
It notes coronavirus cases spiked in Victoria following June 30, and thus it was not possible to accurately estimate the impact the pandemic would have on the council's finances.
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Alexander Darling
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
