Council’s rates to be reviewed

A one-off rates review committee in the first half of 2019 is to be formed by Federation Council, to comprise councillors and representation from the general public, supported by council staff.

The committee will recommend a rate structure plan for implementation by July 1, 2019.

Generally, the committee will provide input into the current levels of rates income, the rate structure and the overall contribution of various rate categories to the overall running of council.

The current rate structure as a merged council is required to be in place until June 30, 2019.

In his report for council’s April meeting, council’s Director Finance and Organisation Development Kim Parker suggested such a committee, to examine options and the general fairness or equity of the rate structure.

“Council has received a number of comments on the fairness or otherwise of the current rate structure,” he said.

“For council’s information, from the 30 June 2017 Audited Financial Statements - excluding one-off merged council additional funding) - rates made up an important 23.15 per cent ($6.71 million) of the $28.99 million funding received to be utilised for General Fund activities.”