Galway City Council has again deferred a decision on whether to raise commercial rates by 15%, as part of an effort to generate another €6.4million in revenue next year.
At an adjourned meeting this afternoon, councillors queried the manner in which the city's 2025 budget would be allocated, raising concerns about a number of proposals and costings.
Many have already expressed serious reservations about the impact the proposed hike in rates would have on small businesses, given ongoing economic pressures.
There was widespread criticism that council plans to develop public lands would be the first to be impacted by any spending cuts, necessitated by a failure to raise rates.
Several queried how a €2m budget was needed to develop "masterplans" for the development of amenities in South Park, Renmore and Kingston, before any work was carried out.
"Two million on reports…that’s our very own bike shed", said Independent Councillor Mike Cubbard.
Officials were also questioned on whether work, covered by a €3m fund, to retrofit public buildings, could be staggered over a number of years.
But Director of Services Derek Pender cautioned against any diminution of current plans in that regard.
He said a robust budget was needed to ensure the city was able to meet its climate objectives and that cutting this would weaken Galway’s role in Ireland’s climate transition.
Councillors have until midnight next Sunday to agree a budget, after which there are a range of possible implications.
Should the deadline pass without agreement, the Minister for Local Government could remove councillors from office and convene an election to fill the 18 seat authority.
In the meantime, a commissioner might be appointed to carry out reserved functions of the councillors.
Chief Executive Leonard Cleary said the last thing the senior management team wanted was for the council to be dissolved, saying the democratic mandate of Councillors was of paramount importance.
He said a draft budget was on the table and that if elected members wished to amend that, they could do so.
However, he warned that any changes would have to be made in the context of balancing the budget.
"This is step change in terms of investment" he said, acknowledging that it was "not an easy ask".
Mayor Peter Keane said more time was needed to resolve matters. He said he was confident agreement could be reached by the end of the week .
"One way or another… I can guarantee you that," he said.
Councillors agreed to hold further discussions in the coming days, before adjourning the meeting until Friday afternoon.
