Rates increase forms part of adopted council budget

A five percent commercial rates hike in the Offaly County Council budget for 2026 has been been supported by elected members of the local authority.

The budget shows record expenditure of €102m by the council for next year to allow for the continuation of current service levels, despite the challenges of rising costs.

Addressing the members, Chief Executive Anna Marie Delaney, said the council was committed to investing in the future of the county.

Citing the loss in rates income of €1.7m from the closure of the West Offaly Power at Shannonbridge, the Chief Executive said the budget "allowed for an increase of five percent on the annual rate of valuation (used to calculate commercial rates) from 0.2198 to 0.2308".

The Chief Executive said that rate payers whose annual bill is less than €10,000 will be offered an early payment discount of five percent.

"This discount will be capped at €500 and will be available to businesses who make their payments before the end of September 2026. Unfortunately, the rebate is not applicable to larger ratepayers," Ms Delaney added.

Ms Delaney stated that central Government would continue to compensate the local authority for the loss of rates income in 2026 (due to the Shannonbridge closure), but this "was not guaranteed from 2027".

A €55m spend on infrastructure as part of the council's Capital programme for 2026 was also adopted at the meeting with 38% of the total budget allocated towards housing.

The Chief Executive also confirmed that the local authority's "cumulative debts" would be cleared by the end of 2025.

"Our number one priority in the budget was to assess our council housing needs and this has been reflected in the allocation for 2026.

"Additional provisions have also been made for the county's libraries, playgrounds and community centres as we aim to maintain our current service levels and ensure County Offaly is one of the best places in which to live and work," Ms Delaney stated.

The Chief Executive described the budget as "positive".

"This budget which I bring before the members is fair and is reflective of the resources that we have currently available to us".

Council Finance Director, Fiona Millane, said the budget was "progressive" and "built on previous budgets" which have been adopted by the local authority.

Council Cathaoirleach Cllr John Leahy commended the local authority management for taking time to meet with the members prior to the publication of the draft budget.

"There has been an allocation increase across 22 headings in the budget for 2026. It is very much pro-business," Cllr Leahy said.

Cllr Peter Ormond said the budget before the members was "balanced".

"This is our roadmap for the coming year and it is great to see that our services in the county are being serviced adequately," Cllr Ormond said.

The Fianna Fáil councillor commended the completion of a number of projects in the county during 2025 and hoped such "a level of progress" would continue in 2026.

Cllr Ormond stated that it was the first time the council budget exceeded €100m.

"We strive for best practice here in Offaly and this substantial budget allocation will go a long way to ensure we have a county that is one of the best in which to live," Cllr Ormond added.

The adoption of the budget was proposed by Cllr Ormond and seconded by Cllr Frank Moran.