CoJ asks for public comment on tabled tariffs
Residents invited to submit their comments and objections on draft property rates and tariffs
Residents from Roodepoort and surrounding areas are urged to view the draft property rates policy and tariffs and give their input or objections.
The City of Johannesburg (CoJ) recently tabled its Property Rates Policy, Rates Bylaw and Tariffs for the 2017/ 18 financial year which commences in July and invites the public’s comment.
“Any person who desires to object to the amendments to the Rates Policy, Rates By-law and Rates tariffs is invited to submit comments or submissions on amendments, but must lodge such objections in writing,” said the City of Johannesburg spokesperson, Kgamanyane Maphologela.
Once the rates policy and tariffs are tabled in council, they become part of the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) process where residents can give further inputs. The Council tabled the proposed rates policy, tariffs, IDP and medium-term budget in March.
The City proposed an average property rate tariff increase of 6,2 per cent, a water and sanitation tariff increase of 12,2 per cent, an electricity tariff increase of 2,28 per cent and a refuse removal increase of 6,1 per cent. It was also announced that only needy households that are registered on the City’s Expanded Social Package (ESP),will receive up to 15 kilolitres of free water each month. “All other consumers not registered in the ESP will no longer benefit from the free 6 kilolitres of water as was the case before,” said Maphologela.
He added that some of the submissions that were made during the first phase of the rates policy consultations meetings earlier this year focused largely on issues relating to affordability and protection of vulnerable categories. The second phase of the rates consultations will finally culminate with the IDP process.
“We heard the voices of the customers through the submissions they made during the public meetings we held. While we consider the tariffs in the context of being cost-reflective to ensure the sustainability of the City, we have taken increased internal efficiencies into account and passed this benefit onto consumers by providing further relief in the final tariffs proposed,” he said.
The closing date for submissions and comments on the policy, as well as any objections to the tariffs, is 7 May. Comments, submissions and objections can be sent to the following email addresses: ratescomments@joburg.org.za; pumzaj@joburg.org.za; or tandisizwes@joburg.org.za. They can also be faxed to 086 447 7567.
Copies of the draft rates policy, tariffs, IDP and medium-term budget can be viewed on the City of Johannesburg’s website or at the regional office situated at The Civic Centre, 100 Christiaan de Wet Road, Florida Park.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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