Council facing into a difficult budget

MAYO County Council is facing into a difficult budget when it meets to decide on its finances for 2022 later this month.

Government support has been sought because of reduced income and increased costs this year due to the pandemic. A sum of €3.5 million has been requested to balance the books.

Chief executive Kevin Kelly said discussions are ongoing at national level and things were looking more positive now than they did a few weeks ago.

They needed the support to come through so they are not carrying a negative balance into future years.

It is going to be a difficulty budget, he told the monthly meeting of the authority.

The council has additional non-discretionary expenditure, including costs arising from the national pay agreement, pensions and retirements, as well as increased energy costs.

There is a gap to be bridged and that will be worked on in the coming weeks.