Further changes to Draft Rates Strategy Councillors seeking community feedback

Horsham Rural City Council is seeking feedback on proposed changes to the draft Rating Policy and draft Rating Strategy following the 25 March Ordinary meeting. Councillors last week resolved to change the farm rate differential from 80 per cent to 67 percent of the general rate, to introduce a 95 percent differential for Industrial and Commercial properties and a $30 per property rebate for eligible pensioners, as per the Draft Rating Strategy. Council also resolved to make further changes to the Draft Rating Strategy and Policy, which will impact materially on the way the rates contributions are shared across the sectors. Instead of decreasing the flat municipal charge from $287 to $200, the Council resolved to lower it to $280 in the 20192020 Budget. This is still a reduction from the 2018-19 charge but when compared to the draft strategy it will increase rates on average by $29 per assessment for 9,187 properties under $400,000 in value. For the 3,100 properties over $400,000 in value they will decrease on average by $83 per assessment. This change will also reduce the overall rate contribution from the farm sector by approximately $147,000. The Council also resolved to lower the rating differential review trigger point from five per cent change above average property values to 3.5 per cent. The updated draft Rating Policy and draft Rating Strategy are now available to the public and submissions will be accepted until Friday 12 April 2019.