To provide the many services that we all use, Councils need money. Councils have to buy machines and vehicles, materials to build roads and bridges, books for libraries and vaccines for health centres. It also costs money to maintain parks and swimming pools. Councils must also pay staff - administration and clerical staff, environmental officers, drivers, maintenance workers, youth workers, inspectors, engineers, planners and library staff.
Councils with large populations may have budgets worth millions of dollars every year. Smaller Councils will have less money to spend. Some councils work co-operatively with neighbouring councils to share staff and resources.
Councils receive four main sources of income to provide services to their communities. These are: rates; fees and fines; grants and subsidies; and loans.