Maroondah councillors make an extra $21,000 in claims and reimbursements in 2018-19 financial year
Maroondah’s councillors made more claims and used a bigger chunk of their on-their job expenses budget in the past financial year. But despite the increased spend, they have still stayed within their means.
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Maroondah’s councillors used an extra $21,000 of ratepayers money for on-the-job expenses in the last financial year.
But despite the increase in claims, they still spent less than three quarters of their budget.
According to the latest council report tabled this month, the nine councillors claimed $73,939 in the 12 months to June — up on the $52,880 they claimed in 2017-18.
They have a $102,000 annual budget for expenses and reimbursements such as travel, conferences and training, communications and childcare.
It includes $12,000 for use of a car by the mayor to fulfil their duties.
Mayor Rob Steane and former mayor Nora Lamont used their own cars instead of the council’s designated car and claimed allowances of $7533 and $4467 each.
The 2018-19 total was bumped up by a spend of nearly $24,000 from April-June, with just over half on conference and training expenses.
Five councillors — Cr Lamont, Marijke Graham, Tasa Damante, Kylie Spears and Mike Symon — attended the Australian Local Government Association conference in Canberra in June.
Cr Steane said the council’s total spend on the conference was yet to be finalised but all claims from ALGA attendees were within the budget.
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He said each councillor had a $9000 annual limit for conference and training expenses, which could include transport, accommodation, registration fees, meals and drinks associated with their attendance.
Apart from Cr Steane ($14,567), Cr Symon claimed the most in expenses for the financial year ($12,487).
Cr Symon said most of his claims were associated with various conferences he attended. “I take an interest in public sector government and it ties in well with the role of a councillor,” Cr Symon said.
“The more from those I can absorb, the better off the council is and I can come back and use the information and share it around.”
Two councillors made less than $1000 in claims for the financial year — Tony Dib ($562) and Samantha Mazzuchelli ($641).
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