Cavan’s Chief Executive said he wanted to “steer clear of a doom and gloom” budget as the Council approved the budget for 2021.
Tommy Ryan added that there are “no cutbacks to the budget” despite the “difficult times” the council is going through.
Close to €78 million is expected to be spent by Cavan County Council next year, a more than €6 million increase from 2020.
It includes almost €11 million to be spent on housing and building and close to €24 million for road transport and safety.
The budget meeting heard that the financial demands on the Council are growing, and in response to this an increase in the Local Property Tax was adopted.
Tommy Ryan said this 15 per cent increase will generate an additional income of €680,000, which has allowed him to “present a balanced budget without significant cuts”.
While consideration was given to increasing commercial rates, this was not adopted due to the “ongoing difficulties for commercial businesses”.
Councillor Shane P O’Reilly said it was “a good idea not to seek an increase” because he would have supported it.
The budget also includes provision of €1.74 million from the NPPR and landfill income.
But the landfill will reach capacity in 2021 and the NPPR is set to be reduced and soon disappear, after which Mr Ryan warns the council will face “big decisions”.
