MAYOR Kathy Sajowitz says Oberon Council may have to look at service levels to cover a NSW Government decision that will require the council to find tens of thousands of dollars in its budget.
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She says the government's move is disappointing, but appears to be a "done deal".
The NSW Government has told councils they will have to help fund an increase in the levy that pays for emergency services.
The increase is required to help fund reforms to workers' compensation for volunteer and career firefighters suffering from work-related cancers.
The Office of Local Government says the increase will be included in the yearly emergency services levy that councils pay from July 1 and the amounts will vary between council areas.
Cr Sajowitz said councils have already set their budgets for 2019/20 and may now have to look at service levels to accommodate the increases.
"While I am sure all councils strongly support the new workers' compensation coverage for firefighters, the fact that the NSW Government has chosen to cost shift these charges on to councils and therefore communities by increasing the levy, rather than identifying savings in the state government's budget, is disappointing," she said.
"The NSW Government collects payments from councils and insurers to fund emergency services agencies in NSW annually, with councils paying 11.7 per cent of their local emergency services budget.
"As a result of these increases, the NSW Government will now collect an additional $160 million from councils, communities and those paying insurance premiums.
"Oberon will pay a $65,495 increase from last year's levy. A budget of $25,535 was the expected annual increase, however, $39,960 was completely unexpected."
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Cr Sajowitz said the new Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock addressed the Country Mayors Group meeting at Government House last week.
"The hot topic was the sudden increase in the levy. Minister Hancock has indicated that although she appreciates the concern on the issue, it appears to be a done deal," Cr Sajowitz said.
Cr Sajowitz said councils, individually and through joint organisations, the Country Mayors Group and Local Government NSW, will continue to highlight the inequity of the cost-shifting decision.
"Some councils have indicated they are considering not paying the extra levy amount," she said.
