I would like to make a comparison between a Shire Council and a standard Public Company structure.

A public company has a Board of Directors elected by the shareholders, presided over by a Chairman. The company directors are the body who are responsible for representing the interests of the shareholders.

Councils have elected councillors who represent the needs of the ratepayers, being equivalent to the shareholders in a company, including a Mayor, who is equivalent to the chairman of a company board.

A public company is intended to be run at a profit and pay that profit to the shareholders as a dividend. The day-to-day functions of a company are run by a Chief Executive Officer for which he or she earns a substantial salary package. He or she is paid for their skills.

A Council is intended to represent the ratepayers of the shire in a manner to provide the services, within a budget, but necessary for the smooth function of the shire. The day-to-day functions of a shire council are run by a General Manager, again for a substantial salary package.

If a public company experiences financial difficulties, it is the responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer to take steps to return the company to profitable operation, whatever the cause. That is why he she commands a substantial salary.

If a Shire experiences financial difficulties, it is the General Managers responsibility to take the necessary steps to rectify the problem, again that is the reason a General Manager receives a substantial salary package. We are paying for his or her skills. In both cases, turning to the shareholders (or ratepayers) to stump up more money to get the Chief Executive Officer (or General Manager) out of the mess, for which they are responsible, would almost certainly lead to the Board of Directors (or elected councillors) replacing the Executive. I think we need to look carefully at the reason for our own council's performance before throwing money into a bottomless pit. Increasing the rates above the rate of inflation does not answer the question. If Yass Valley Shire is to be fit for the future, it needs to demonstrate an on-going ability to live within its means. I declare I am a member of the Community Working Group, one of 40 members.