Tralee council faces dissolution over budget

Tralee town councillors will this evening vote for the fifth time on a budget prepared by management

Tralee town councillors will this evening vote for the fifth time on a budget prepared by management. If they fail to agree spending plans the council will be dissolved at midnight.

A spokeswoman for Tralee Urban District Council said the business plan has not been amended ahead of the meeting which starts at 7.30.

On January 13th the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government, Mr Cullen granted an 11-day reprieve after the council failed to agree a budget for the fourth time.

Council finances are under pressure due to a combination of high benchmarking costs and costs connected with the Jeanie Johnstonand other tourism projects. This has contributed to a deficit of at least €500,000 at the end of 2003.

Under the most recently-rejected budget the council planned to stop rubbish collection services from April because of a falling customer base and rising costs.

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David Labanyi

David Labanyi

David Labanyi is the Head of Audience with The Irish Times