{"id":258056,"date":"2020-05-14T17:20:06","date_gmt":"2020-05-14T07:20:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=258056"},"modified":"2020-07-10T16:14:32","modified_gmt":"2020-07-10T06:14:32","slug":"mayor-defends-expenses-policy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2020\/05\/14\/mayor-defends-expenses-policy\/","title":{"rendered":"Mayor Defends Expenses Policy"},"content":{"rendered":"
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South Burnett Mayor Brett Otto … “wanted to set the record straight” about councillors’ expenses<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

May 14, 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mayor Brett Otto has responded to the May 11 report<\/a><\/strong> about the Expenses Reimbursement vote taken at the recent South Burnett Regional Council meeting.<\/p>\n

In fairness, southburnett.com.au<\/strong> has presented Mayor Otto’s statement in full:<\/p>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n

South Burnett Regional Council Mayor Cr Brett Otto would like to set the record straight regarding recent speculation on Councillor\u2019s remuneration and expenses reimbursement following the adoption of Council\u2019s Expenses Reimbursement Policy at the May General meeting.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cFollowing a recent report and subsequent comments regarding Councillors\u2019 pay rises and reimbursement of expenses, I would like to provide some additional information to inform the community on the resolution made by Council regarding Council\u2019s Expenses Reimbursement Policy for Councillors,\u201d Mayor Otto said.<\/p>\n

\u201cCouncil, at the May General meeting has adopted an Expenses Reimbursement Policy for Councillors in accordance with the Local Government Regulation 2012. The policy ensures compliance with statutory requirements and community expectations relating to the payment or reimbursement of legitimate expenses and the provision of facilities. It also ensures Councillors have the facilities and support necessary to perform their civic duties as elected representatives of their local communities.<\/p>\n

“Even though Councillors may be eligible to claim certain expenses, this does not necessarily mean that these expenses are being claimed, indeed, Councillors often pay for their own meals when travelling out of the region on Council business and do not bother claiming such. On occasions when claims are submitted they are only paid upon the production of receipts which are often for less than the allowable limit.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe vehicle use reimbursement amounts represent a conservative approach. Had councillors chosen to be reimbursed on a cents per kilometre basis using the standard rate provided by the ATO the cost to Council would be far greater when one considers the large number of kilometres travelled by rural councillors across our region in the ordinary course of conducting Council business. Furthermore, the previously provided Mayor\u2019s vehicle has now been returned to the fleet, saving Council the cost of replacing one of the older vehicles, with the Mayor using his own car and paying all of his Council travel costs inside the region out of his own pocket.<\/p>\n

\u201cI urge all residents to read Council\u2019s Expenses Reimbursement Policy for Councillors, which provides a full list of expenses which Councillors can be reimbursed, in conjunction with the Annual Report, which reflects actual reimbursements claimed by Councillors.\u201d<\/p>\n