Special Budget (SB) - 16 February 2026

Key decisions

• Financial sustainability and budget build update noted
  The committee recommended that Council receive and note the Financial Sustainability Update and 2026-27 Budget build presentation for consideration as part of the overall 2026-27 budget.
  This informs the City of Gold Coast's upcoming 2026-27 budget, which may affect rates, service levels, and spending priorities.
• Revenue Policy 2026-27 referred to full Council
  The committee recommended that the confidential Revenue Policy 2026-27 be referred to the full Council meeting scheduled for 10 March 2026 for adoption.
  The revenue policy can affect how Council raises revenue, including charges and other budget-related settings for residents and businesses.
• Revenue policy report kept confidential
  The committee recommended that the report and attachments relating to the Revenue Policy 2026-27 be deemed confidential and remain so unless the Chief Executive Officer decides otherwise.
  Residents may not yet be able to view the detailed policy material before full Council considers adoption.

Important topics

• 2026-27 budget preparation
  A budget build presentation was received and noted as part of preparation of the overall 2026-27 budget.
  This is an early step in shaping next year's Council budget and related service and spending decisions.
• Closed session consideration of budget matters
  Part of the meeting was held in closed session before the committee returned to open session and recorded recommendations.
  Some budget and revenue discussions were handled confidentially before recommendations were made public.

Resident impacts

• The 2026-27 budget is still being developed and will influence future Council spending and service delivery.
• A confidential Revenue Policy 2026-27 is progressing to full Council for adoption on 10 March 2026.
• Detailed supporting material for the revenue policy remains confidential unless released by the Chief Executive Officer.

Places affected

• City of Gold Coast (local government area)
  The meeting dealt with citywide budget and revenue policy matters for 2026-27.

Next steps

• Council to consider the Financial Sustainability Update and 2026-27 Budget build as part of the overall 2026-27 budget process.
  During development of the 2026-27 budget
• Full Council to consider adoption of the Revenue Policy 2026-27.
  10 March 2026
• Confidential report and attachments to remain confidential unless the Chief Executive Officer decides otherwise.
  Until further decision

Extracted minutes text

864 UNCONFIRMED MINUTES SPECIAL BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING MONDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2026 11:00AM The meeting commenced at 11:06am City of Gold Coast Council Chambers 135 Bundall Road Surfers Paradise 864 Meeting of the Special Budget Committee Unconfirmed Minutes Monday 16 February 2026 ORDER OF BUSINESS 1 ATTENDANCE/APOLOGIES .................................................................... 3 2 LEAVE OF ABSENCE ............................................................................... 3 3 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES ................................................................ 3 4 CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATIONS ........................................... 3 5 COMMITTEE FORWARD PLANNING SC...