The state government has released information which allows ratepayers to keep an eye on how their councils are performing.
The MyCouncil website was updated on July 1, 2020 to include 2018-19 financial information on each WA local government.
A feature of the website is the Financial Health Indicator which provides a brief overview of any local government's financial health.
It is calculated from the seven financial ratios that local governments are required to calculate annually.
An indicator result of 70 and above indicates sound financial health, and the maximum result achievable is 100.
The website allows people to compare their council with another, and is designed to increase transparency and allow the community to ask their local government questions and keep them accountable.
The website also includes information on what local governments raise in rates and how much they spend, details of councillor remuneration and gender diversity, and waste and recycling.
According to the data, local governments across WA employed more than 15,000 West Australians in 2018/19, and raised more than $4.2 billion in revenue in that financial year - more than half of which was from rates.
Expenditure also amounted to more than $4.3 billion.
Local Government Minister David Templeman said the site provided a barometer of successful financial management for councils across the state.
"I'm pleased that the MyCouncil website has new figures that allow ratepayers and residents to easily assess and keep an eye on the financial performance of their council," he said.
"The website should be compulsory viewing for anyone who takes an interest in their community and wants to ensure their council is on track in terms of managing its finances and spending."
For more information, or to compare your local council, visit www.mycouncil.wa.gov.au/.
The Mandurah Mail has compared a few of the local governments within the Peel region. Check them out below:
Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale - 72
The Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale has the best financial health of any council in the Peel region and is the only one considered "sound", with a financial health indicator score of 72.
This is a big improvement from their score of 60 in 2017/18.
In 2018/19, the Shire had a total operating revenue of almost $35 million - most of which was made up of rates ($23 million).
More than $6.3 million came from fees and charges, while $3.66 million came from grants and the remaining $1.7 million from other avenues.
In the same financial year, Serpentine Jarrahdale had a total operating expenditure of more than $36 million.
More than $9.3 million of this was spent on recreation and culture, $9 million on transport and $8.3 million on community amenities.
Shire of Murray - 66
The Shire of Murray has a financial health score of 66, just up from its score of 64 in 2017/18.
In 2018/19, Murray had a total operating revenue of $26,911,841 - made up of more than $16 million in rates and more than $3 million in grants. The remaining $7 million was made up of fees and charges and other revenue.
The Shire had a total operating expenditure of $28.35 million in the same financial year.
Almost $8.65 million of this was spent on transport, followed by $6.5 million on recreation and culture and $5.2 million on community amenities.
Shire of Waroona - 63
The Shire of Waroona fits in just above the state average with a health score of 63 - up from 61 in both 2017/18 and 2016/17.
During the 2018/19 financial year, the Shire had a total operating revenue of $8.159 million - made up of almost $5 million in rates and $1.6 million in grants. The remaining revenue came from fees and charges and other revenue.
The Shire had a total operating expenditure of $10.5 million in the same financial year.
Almost $2.89 million of this was spent on recreation and culture, followed by $2.6 million on transport and $1.6 million on community amenities.
City of Mandurah - 58
The City of Mandurah fits in just below the state average with a health score of 58 - down from 61 in 2016/17.
In 2018/19, the City had a total operating revenue of almost $113 million, made up of $78.5 million in rates and almost $26 million in fees and charges. The remaining $8.5 million is made up of grants and other revenue.
The City has a total operating expenditure of $130.76 million - almost $47 million of which was spent on recreation and culture. An additional $29 million was spent on transport and $17 million on community amenities.
Shire of Boddington - 55
The Shire of Boddington's financial health indicator is below the state average of 60 with a score of 55.
This comes after it recorded a score of 91 in 2017/18.
Boddington had a total operating revenue of $6.77 million in 2018/19 - made up of $4.5 million in rates, $1.2 million in fees and charges and the rest in grants and other revenue.
The Shire had a total operating expenditure of $7.34 million - almost $2.6 million of which was spent on transport.
An additional $1.7 million was spent on recreation and culture and $743,000 spent on education and welfare.
