A financially viable council making Forbes a place people want to come and live. That's the focus of reelected Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller as we begin a new four-year term of local government. Phyllis Miller OAM and Chris Roylance were reelected mayor and deputy mayor unopposed at the first meeting of newly-elected councillors, after they had taken their oath of office at the chambers on October 2. Eight of Forbes' councillors were reelected, with Sarah Sweeney added to their number. "I’m going to say thank you first for having the faith in me to be able to lead you for the next two years," Mayor Miller said after official proceedings. "I’m very excited, I think we’re a very good team, I love working with each and every one of you." Cr Roylance said the council had worked so well together, both staff and elected representatives. "I'm looking forward to the next four years, I’m pretty sure we’re going to see some amazing things," he said. Mayor Miller acknowledged the council was coming out of a period of receiving a lot of government funding, with efforts to stimulate the economy post-COVID. "We've had a great advantageous time in Forbes in getting community assets," she said, "but my idea and view to lead the council into a time of consolidation, I think it's important that we look at where we are, consolidate our debts. "We are going very well." One of those focuses will be on the own-source revenue opportunities Forbes Shire Council has created over time, including its property portfolio and operations like the Central West Livestock Exchange. "(We also need to) make sure that we are keeping all of our services that we require to be a safe and prosperous community," Mayor Miller said. "Health, policing, education - that we are not taking our eye off the ball." That includes the council's support of Forbes Medical Centre and Yoorana Gunya to ensure ongoing health services. Above all, the mayor concluded, "We look forward to making sure Forbes is a place where everyone wants to come and live." General manager Steve Loane took the role of returning officer for the election of mayor for two years and deputy mayor for one year, after leading councillors in their oath or affirmation of office.
