Deadline looms for objections
“Regardless of whether residents objected to their new valuation or not the new rates will be implemented,” she said.
With the deadline for objections to the new municipal valuation roll looming, several questions have arisen. Bedfordview’s ward 20 councillor Jill Humphreys told the NEWS that residents will be charged according to the new municipal rate from July 1.
“Regardless of whether residents objected to their new valuation or not, the new rates will be implemented,” she said.
Humphreys added that in the past provision had been made for those who objected to paying their old rate until the appeal process was finalised.
“This provision has not been made this time around,” she said. Humphreys pointed out that valuation objections close on July 18. “The City will only respond to objections after July 18. This gives the City just over two weeks to respond to every resident who objected to their valuation”.
She said that after July 18 the City would respond to the objections, after which residents either need to accept or contest the objected rate.
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“The contested rates then need to go to the appeal board. And, all of this needs to happen before July 1. If there is no appeal then the new rate will be applied. “How can the City expect residents to accept this unbelievable dysfunction?” Humphreys questioned.
Several residents reported to Humphreys that on Monday last week both Germiston and Edenvale objection offices were closed.
“According to information staff at the offices had not been paid their salaries and therefore the offices were closed,” she said. “Residents are really trying to do the right thing and they are going through so much trouble but they are getting no support from the City”.
In an enquiry sent to the City’s media department on Wednesday morning, the NEWS questioned whether the City had the capacity to deal with the objections and appeal process before July 1.
The NEWS further questioned whether residents who objected would be expected to pay the new municipal valuation rate as well as by how much the City would adjust the proposed valuation of those who objected.
Answers and further comment regarding questions sent by the NEWS were requested by May 7.
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