Cosmo City residents quiz property rates policy
29-01-2015

 

Residents of Cosmo City in northern Johannesburg were on Tuesday night urged to have their say in the determination of the City's rates and taxes for the 2015-2016 financial year.
 

Velly Hlophe, the City of Johannesburg's Deputy Director of Policy and Enhancement, encouraged the capacity crowd at the Cosmo City Multipurpose Centre to contribute to the drafting of next financial year's Property Rates Policy, saying their input was crucial.

"You must speak out and be heard. It is your right to be heard," Hlophe said.

Tuesday night's property rates review meeting was one in a series of such public gatherings being held in all regions throughout the city to give residents the opportunity to contribute to the content of the new policy and to ensure that property rates are equitable and affordable.

The meetings, held under the Municipal Property Rates Act 6 of 2004, form the first of a two-round public consultation process.

The second round will take place in April and May, during which time the new proposals and feedback will be incorporated into the draft document and presented to the public for comment.

The process will culminate in the 2015-2016 Budget Speech to be delivered by Member of the Mayoral Committee for Finance Clr Geoffrey Makhubo later in the year.
 

In Cosmo City on Tuesday night, Hlophe called on residents to refrain from renovating their homes or building high walls without approved plans as it was in contravention of City bylaws.
 

He also asked residents to verify their addresses to avoid their statements being delivered to wrong homes.

During the meeting, residents complained about a variety of issues, including incorrect billing, property owners receiving water accounts of up to R9 000 and municipal accounts' arrears running into tens of thousands of rands.
 

Residents have also been advised to voice their comments on the current policy easily available at the City’s website; www.joburg.org.za or on request at a Customers Service Centre city-wide. Submissions can also be made until February 27 2015 via email to Rates Comment @Joburg.org.za.