Cork City Council agreed an expenditure budget of €166.8 million for next year at its annual budget meeting this evening.
This will see an increase of over €6.6 million in spending in 2019 compared to this year with this increased funding being spent on housing and homelessness services, roads maintenance, staff payroll obligations under the Public Services Stability Agreement and an increase in sports funding and community project funding.
Cork City Council Chief Executive, Ann Doherty said: “The challenge of Cork City Council’s budget is to ensure that the Council continues to achieve a balanced allocation of resources to ensure that it means the competing demands across the social, economic, cultural, environmental and infrastructural developments of the city”.
There will be no increase in rates next year. Two years ago, for the first time in eight years, rates were increased by 1.25% in Cork city.
Four additional housing officers, who deal directly with social housing tenant and community issues, have been provided for in the 2019 budget.
A vacant homes officer role will also be funded.
Three additional building inspector roles will be funded so Cork City Council can further inspect the quality of private rented accommodation.
Cork City Council will continue to offer its rates incentive scheme which offers a grant to ratepayers in small to medium enterprises who pay their rates on time and meet certain criteria.
There will be no increase in parking charges in the city this year with Paul St and North Main St remaining the best priced multi storey car parks in the city.
Earlier this year, Cork City Council agreed not to increase the basic rate of Local Property Tax ( LPT) in the city. The additional funding of €776,500 in LPT that was available to Council this year will also be available next year.
