REDLANDERS can expect residential and business rate increases and a deficit when Redland City Council brings down its budget at a special meeting on Monday, June 26.
Council is under pressure framing the budget as it manages a hefty increase in state government water charges.
An 8.47 per cent increase in bulk water costs follows an increase of 9.2 percent last year and about 10 per cent the previous year.
Bulk water is up from $2.361 per kilolitre to $2.561, which translates to about $40 a household or 77c a week.
It is the sixth successive increase council has had to deal with, making it difficult to absorb.
This year’s budget is expected to be a record $300 million.
It will include a $82 million capital plan focused on improving transport, including roads, car parks, marine transport and footpaths.
Mayor Karen Williams said water price rises and other costs would make a deficit likely. Successive surpluses had placed council in a good position to keep rate rises in line with cost increases.