Rates reduction mooted in place of early pay discount

The city is being urged to overhaul its rates system and investigate an overall 10 per cent reduction rather than discounts for ratepayers who pay early.

Mayor Tom Tate on Wednesday launched his 2024 reelection campaign with a promise to retain the pay-ontime rates discount – and it sparked huge debate. Critics included council governance chairman William OwenJones, who in a Facebook post maintained those in need of a rate cut were penalised.

Mr Owen-Jones took the mayor to task, saying the city marks up the general rates every year by 10 per cent, then offered a 10 per cent discount.

Hinterland-based councillor Glenn Tozer on Thursday said he believed the new council, after the March 16 poll, should investigate the city’s rates system.

“While I don’t want to get involved in the bickering between Tom and William, I think all aspects of this issue should be reviewed,” he said.

“I think we owe it to ratepayers to deliver a rates system that is simple and efficient. Frankly, working with Mayor Tate over the past 12 years there’s no doubt he’s had a focus on lower rates, and I have too.

“However, if the 10 per cent discount is taken up by practically everyone, shouldn’t council just investigate reducing the rates by 10 per cent across the board by an equivalent amount. A 10 per cent reduction in rates, and no discount to calculate.”

Mr Tozer said he supported council taking time to do the budget job properly in chambers with Mayor Tate in good faith, every year since 2012.

“What is not council’s job is to deliver a system that suits election campaign one-liners.”