GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Tariffs: Ratepayers in the Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality face an 8% tariff increase in the 2020/2021 financial year. This is twice the national inflation rate of approximately 4%.
The increase was tabled on 27 May at a virtual special council meeting held by the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality.
A 6% increase was also tabled for the subsequent two financial years.
The suggested 8% increase for property rates, water, sanitation, refuse and electricity will now be open for public comment for a period of 21 days before it will be tabled for approval by council. The municipality will also be hosting open days in all eight towns from 8 – 11 June, mostly in the municipal offices.
The portfolio councillor for finance, Ewald Loock, told the Advertiser the proposed tariff increase is simply not feasible in the current situation that the country finds itself in. He said the DA will debate the matter properly with the final submission, before it comes into force on 1 July.
"The municipality must come up with a practical programme and explain how they will consult all households within the 21-day comment period," said Loock. He expressed his concern that people will think the municipality is not sensitive against poverty during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Cllr Louwrens Nortje agreed, asking how an increase of 8% is justifiable when it is clear that businesses, home and land owners will not be able to accommodate an 8% increase under the current economic conditions due to the effects of the lockdown.
He highlighted the need for community participation so that communities can respond to the proposed 8% increase in light of the current inflation rate of 4%. On behalf of the Rural Landowners Forum, vice chairman Dickie Ogilvie has also commented on the increase of 8%, disappointed that there has been no consultation or input from the farmers.
"We as members of the Rural Land Owners Forum have always been willing to contribute and have an input from our side with regard to any increases," said Ogilvie. He also followed up on a request submitted in February to the acting Chief Financial Officer to offer a reduction in municipal taxes for commercial farmers, in light of the prolonged drought.
According to a post on the municipality's Facebook page, copies of the draft documents and comment boxes will be placed at all municipal administration offices in all eight towns.
Salaries
The Beyers Naudé Local Municipality applied on 27 May for a 4% increase in councillors' salaries, which is according to the upper limits for councillors for all municipalities tabled the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta).
The suggested salary increase is now with Xolile Edmund Nqatha, the Eastern Cape's MEC for Cogta, for final approval.
The salary increase will be retroactive to 1 July 2019, if approved.
If approved by Nqata, mayor Deon de Vos will earn R860 859 per year, and Speaker Thembisa Nonnies will take home R688 688 annually. Council suggested that the salary for councillor Willem Safers, MPAC chairperson and ward councillor for ward 1 (Aberdeen) increase to R349 618. The four EXCO members would get R360 193 each. The 20 remaining councillors' salaries, if approved by Nqata, will cost the municipality R5 448 600 for the year, amounting to R272 430 per councillor.
Cllr Louwrens Nortje voiced his concerns that these salary increases, which take the salaries bill to 40% of the budget, are unaffordable, and questions that a salary increase should even be considered at this time.
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