Have your say on draft rates policy
EThekwini Municipality has announced that the draft rates policy has been approved for public participation.
THE public is invited to give its input on the 2016/17 draft rates policy.
The Local Government: Municipal Property Rates Act determines that before a rates policy is adopted by the municipality, a process of community participation must precede the final adoption. The draft rates policy is available at the municipality's main office and satellite offices and libraries for public inspection. Comments and representations are to be made to the municipality within a specified notice period.
At a recent meeting of council, Speaker Logie Naidoo said the draft rates policy will allow the public to have the opportunity to interact and have their say.
“This provides a platform for all stakeholders to have a say about the City’s rates before it comes back to council where the policy itself will be debated,” said Naidoo.
Full council also acknowledged a report that stipulated that rates reduction for residential properties were automatically deducted in the 2014/15 financial year for the last time. In future, it will be provided for as an applied rebate.
“The intention is to budget for a rebate system and that all residential owners apply for the rebate,” said Naidoo.
The 2014/15 financial year was utilised as the registration period with the residential rates project fully implemented next year.
