Orange councillors put draft 2026-27 budget on public exhibition

Orange City Council has voted to place its Operational Plan, Draft Budget 2026-2027 on public exhibition for a minimum of 28 days, according to minutes from its 21 April meeting.

The resolution means residents will be able to review and comment on the council’s proposed budget, spending and services for the 2026-27 financial year before it is finalised.

During discussion of the draft budget item, councillors asked about the general fund position, operating performance ratio, borrowing capacity, unrestricted reserves and infrastructure backlog. The minutes record the Chief Executive Officer saying savings to achieve a $0 deficit in the general fund, instead of $2.5 million, would need to come from a change in council’s level of service to the community.

The Chief Executive Officer also told councillors staff were looking at opportunities to boost self-generating revenue and identify achievable cost savings, while the Director Corporate and Commercial Services said cash reserves would be tabled at the next meeting in the IP&R report.

At the same meeting, council also resolved to publicly exhibit a revised procurement policy for at least 28 days after deleting Strategic Policy ST109, Buy Local, and incorporating its intent into ST47, Procurement.

Other decisions included adopting two strategic policies, approving accessibility works at Bastick Cottage in Cook Park, allocating $15,625 for safety tree maintenance along the driveway to the go-kart facility on Perc Griffith Way, and progressing land classification and subdivision registration around Orange Airport linked to the runway extension.

In closed session, council deferred consideration of Tender F4502-1 for field lighting at the Orange Sports Precinct. It also approved entering into a Deed of Variation for up to 12 months for Lot 402 DP 1292031, according to the source package.