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The 2017/18 Property Rates Policy, a policy that influences the rates you pay on your property will be discussed at public consultation meetings on 25 January, and the City of Johannesburg is urging residents to take part.
The City’s spokesperson Kgamanyane Maphologela said the rates policy review was driven by property owners. “The process of the rates policy review reflects the City’s Ten Point Priority [plan] of a responsive government. Since 2008, when the City first implemented the rates policy and rates bylaws, the City has held annual meetings across the city and taken input from residents,” he added.
Some changes are reflected in the latest policy. According to Maphologela this includes a reduced business property ratio from 3.5 to 2.6 and an increased property rebates list.
“The City is always mindful of the economic conditions facing its customers and as result, it takes a balanced approach when drafting the rates policy,” he said.
The City, guided by the Municipal Property Rates Act, will ultimately determine the rates policy. The Act requires that the city council must annually review and, if necessary, amend its rates policy, Maphologela added.
Residents are encouraged to lead the changes they want to see in the rates policy by taking part in the public consultation meetings in their regions. There is more than one meeting per region, either after working hours or on weekends. You only need to attend one of the meetings in your region.
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The meetings are scheduled as follows:
- Region F:
The first meeting will be on 23 January from 6pm until 8pm at the Hillbrow Recreational Centre on the corner of Clarendon King George and Pretoria streets.
- Region A:
On 26 January, from 6pm until 8pm at Ivory Park North Hall, Ivory Park, Midrand, the first meeting will be held. The second in the region will be held on 6 February from 6pm until 8pm at the Midrand Fire Station on the corner of First and Smuts streets, Midrand.
- Region B:
The first meeting is on 2 February from 6pm until 8pm at Marks Park Pavilion Hall on Judith Road in Emmarentia. The second will be on 11 February from 11am until 1pm at the Danie van Zyl Recreation Centre on the corner of Rex and Plantation avenues in Newlands.
- Region E:
The first meeting will be held on 7 February from 6pm until 8pm at the Jabula Recreation Centre Hibiscus Hall on the corner of Anne Street and Athlone Avenue in Sandringham. The second will be on 4 February from 10am until noon at the East Bank Hall on the corner of Springbok and Impala streets in Alexandra. The third meeting will be on 8 February from 6pm until 8pm at the Ernest Ullman Park Recreational Centre, 1 Alna Street in Gallo Manor.
- Region C:
The first meeting will be held on 9 February from 6pm until 8pm at the Cosmo City MPCC in Angola Drive, Cosmo City. The second meeting will be on 13 February from 6pm until 8pm at the Roodepoort City Hall on the corner of Dieperink and Berlandina streets in Roodepoort.
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