There were heated scenes at a meeting of Galway County Council this afternoon over the revelation that funding is to unexpectedly drop by €750,000 next year.
The massive shortfall is due to a drop in valuations for utility companies across the county – and it means a €757,000 loss of revenue for Galway County Council coming into 2016.
The announcement couldn’t have come at a worse time for Galway County Council, as it follows the recent controversy over a free parking scheme for county towns, which is estimated to cost the local authority more than €500,000.
The revelation means the County Council could have to raid its coffers to the tune of up to €1.3 million euro next year to make up the shortfall – with roads maintenance funding likely to suffer.
Councillor Michael Fahy demanded that a letter be sent to Local Government Minister Alan Kelly and Transport Minister Pascal Donohue – stating that the Council cannot and will not accept such a funding reduction for 2016.
Councillor Michael Connolly said the Council was expected to deliver more and more services each year while receiving less and less funding.
Councillor Michael Fahy says it’s one of the worst situations he’s seen in his years sitting on Galway County Council
At today’s meeting, the chamber was warned by Cllr Fahy that if extra funding was not forthcoming, it wouldn’t be automatic doors County Hall would need – it would be wire fencing to keep out angry crowds.
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