Council is running seven drop-in sessions over the week so residents a chance to give feedback about the Council’s proposed rate increases.
General Manager, David Evans, says residents have already indicated support for rate increases to ensure current services. Mr Evans said rate revenue was council’s “largest single income stream.”
“There are two suggested increases one of 7.25% increase per year and one of 8.95% increase per year," Mr Evans said, "the two range between about at $86 a year increase for the 7.25% increase and about $106 a year increase for the higher one."
The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) approved increases of around 3% to 3.2% a year.
“If Council does nothing but continue with the allowable increases approved by IPART each year, we would accumulate a deficit of over $92 million”, said Mr Evans.
The drop-in sessions follow on from Council’s rates survey released earlier this year.
The first session is tonight 5.30 ‘til 7.30 tonight at East Maitland Library.
More information can be found at maitlandyoursay.com
