BENDIGO council's 2020/21 budget is likely to be partly flexible as the city accommodates the uncertain outcomes of the coronavirus crisis.
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The City of Greater Bendigo hopes to release its delayed draft budget for 2020/21 at its May 20 meeting, according to its May 6 meeting agenda.
Council first announced a delay to the draft budget on March 27. The document was originally due to be released for public consultation in April.
The city delayed the budget so staff could further assess the effects of COVID-19 and develop more initiatives to support community and business.
Councillors will vote on whether to ratify the delay on Wednesday.
They will also vote to ratify immediate initiatives taken by the city to support community and businesses affected by COVID-19.
Councillors will vote on these items in the council's first meeting to take place online.
The council's April meeting was postponed due to COVID-19 health advice, as local government could then only meet in person.
The state government has since made changes to the Local Government Act, allowing councils to meet online.
The delay will allow council to prepare a more informed draft budget, the report tabled in the agenda states.
The budget is likely to "include a degree of flexibility" to "account for a number of factors that will not be known when the budget is released", the report states.
These include the full-year affects of COVID-19 and any state or federal stimulus packages.
The council has also established a relief and recovery subcommittee, to provide insight into support initiatives.
Public questions must be submitted by 5pm the day before the meeting.
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