No leeway for valuation objectors

I REFER to the letter by councillor Retief Odendaal (“ANC government had poor financial record”, August 9), in response to that of councillor Rory Riordan (“Metro residents hit by a double increase in rates”, July 27).

In this letter Odendaal stated that the council was mindful of the fact that the residents of Nelson Mandela Bay had been taxed to the hilt over recent years.

I, for one, would not argue that point, but though the council may be mindful of this fact, it certainly does not appear to mind!

I refer, of course, to the new and, in many cases, ridiculous property valuations now imposed upon us by council.

My Schoenies home I would generously describe as modest, yet I have been slapped with a valuation increase of more than 36%, which will probably translate to a rates increase of well more than 40%.

I have yet to receive my new and improved rates account and await it in fear and trembling.

Other folk have and two acquaintances of mine who live in Walmer are now having to fork out an additional R2 000 per month in rates.

If this is not being taxed to the hilt, maybe Odendaal could enlighten us as to what, in fact, it is!

Although Odendaal had earlier indicated in The Herald that the valuations were correctly and accurately calculated (well I suppose Google Earth has some degree of accuracy!), I believe the council has received a flood of objections to these accurate and so-called market-related valuations.

When these will be dealt with? Who knows?

The letter of reply I received to my objection was that it would be attended to “in due course”.

That could mean anything from two months to two years.

In the meanwhile, the ratepayers have to shell out the new increased rates, and apparently will be credited for the excess when and if their objections are finalised in their favour.

Credited with interest? Methinks not!

At least when the properties were valued some years back, the ratepayers were allowed to pay what they thought was correct until the matter was finalised and without penalty. Not so the case now, it seems. Smile and pay up! Many ratepayers will not be able to afford the increased payments and thus be forced to sell their homes.

We do not all receive chief executive’s or professional people’s or, dare I say it, mayor’s and councillor’s large incomes, and are struggling by on very modest means.

Property rates do not take owner’s means into account in any way and are thus, in my humble opinion, not a fair means of rating.

I have always considered the term rates as euphemistic anyway as it is a tax, pure and simple.

The DA-led council should be mindful of those who voted it into office and not unnecessarily raise their ire.

Rob Gardiner, Schoenmakerskop, Port Elizabeth