2018-10-09 Services & Organisation Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                  9 OCTOBER 2018


REPORTS FOR NOTING BY THE COMMITTEE

5                        JULY 2018 RATE LEVY OVERVIEW
DOCUMENT INFORM AT ION




Author                           Manager, Revenue Services, Kellie Seeleither
                                 Corporate Services Department

Index                            ECM Rates Management/Rateable Services

Attachments                      Nil


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Not applicable.

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Manager Revenue Services to the Planning & Organisation
Committee Meeting dated 9 October 2018 providing an overview of the July 2018 Rate Levy.


REPORT
This report provides Council with a summary of the July 2018 rate levy.

1.                       Levy Summary

Rate notices were issued on the 17 July 2018 with a due date of the 17 August 2018. The gross
amount of the levy was $38.2million, which comprised of $34.9million of Council rates and
charges, and $3.3million for the State Emergency Management Levy. Between January 2018
and July 2018 the net increase in rateable properties was 47, representing minimal growth of
0.15%.

Property values in the Shire were revalued by the State government for the 2018/19 financial
year, with an overall increase of 11.31%. At a more detailed level, however, the increase in
valuations varied greatly both at a locality and property type level and these changes, in
conjunction with the general rate review undertaken by Council prior to the 2018/19 budget
process resulted in some changes to the differential general rate structure. Minor changes were
made to the valuation banding for some categories, and new categories introduced for retirement
villages and nursing homes (previously combined), and a new general rate donations policy
introduced.

The Tourism and Economic Levy was amended to include new categories for owner occupiers
who are letting only part of their property, or letting their property during peak periods only, which
reduced their rate to 1/3 of that paid by property owners letting their entire property. There were
no other changes to the other special levies and charges.

The cap on the prompt payment discount was also removed, with discount for all properties now
set at 5% of the general rate.




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