The expenses were less than half of expenditure for 2018/19, which added up to $46,227.
A report tabled at last week’s council meeting suggested general travel expenses for the nine councillors was the highest cost in the 2019/20 financial year, at $7924.19.
In the 12 months previous, travel accounted for $13,506 of the total spend.
Another $2800 was spent on long distance interstate travel expenses in 2019/20, which is under the $5000 allocated in council’s budget.
The second highest expense last financial year was $7150 on information technology equipment. It included new computers, electronic devices and related hardware, communications equipment and software.
It was council’s largest expense in the 12 months previous, costing costing $14,863.
No travel expenses were charged in April to June, due to Coronavirus related restrictions introduced in March.
Other expenditure in the 2019/20 year included $1416.39 on accommodation for the councillors and $1072 on conferences and seminars.
No further professional development was required for the councillors in 2019/20 representing a significant cost saving on the 12 months previous, and no councillor access the budgeted carer allowance in the 12 month period.
‘‘We are not going to half the conferences and meetings we would usually attend due to COVID-19,’’ Mayor Norm Brennan said.
‘‘I would also suggest the reduction in travel is thanks to technology and the ability to do video calls.’’
As mayor, Cr Brennan’s individual expenses were the highest, at $7871.
Other councillor expense totals were: Deputy Mayor Pat Fogarty, $809; Peta Betts, $809; Marg Bull, $2057; Ashley Hall, $1048; Norm McAllister, $393; Peter McCrabb, $3086; Nick Metcalfe, $1545; and Mac Wallace, $1797.
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