Residents shape the City’s rates policy

11-02-2015
 

Residents of Diepsloot, near Fourways in Region A, told a City of Johannesburg Property Rates Policy Review meeting at Diepsloot Hall on Tuesday night that the process used to evaluate houses was unfair as officials never ventured out into their neighbourhoods to physically inspect their properties.
 

Itumeleng Senosi, chairman of the Tangana Residents’ Committee, said the valuations the officials came up with at the end of the process were guesstimates done in “air-conditioned offices” and not on site.

In response, Phumza Jack, City of Joburg’s Rates Policy Specialist, explained that evaluations were done through an optometry system that took into account many factors, including proximity to a clinic, school, transport facilities and shopping malls.
 

Jack said it was impractical to physically evaluate each and every property in the city.

She said property owners had the right to lodge objections should they not agree with the valuations.

Other residents used the opportunity to raise billing related queries.
 

Sihle Mpungose said he was shocked when he received a R98 000 bill for water. When he made inquiries, it was discovered that he shared the meter with his neighbour. Mpungose also expressed unhappiness about the “disgusting treatment” he received at a local customer service centre.
 

Abram Hlabatau said he never received a municipal account for five years and when he finally did he was slapped with an R18 000 bill.

Jack said the City would hold follow-up meetings in April during which time officials would present draft proposals to residents. 
 

She urged communities to make inputs and suggestions to help the City implement affordable rates and taxes. 

Jack said residents whose houses were valued under R200 000 were not subject to evaluation as their owners were exempted from paying rates and taxes.
 

The consultative process will culminate in the 2015-2016 City Budget speech to be delivered by Member of the Mayoral Committee for Finance Councillor Geoffrey Makhubo.

The public process takes place in two rounds. During the first round, residents and ratepayers are informed about the existing rates and then invited to provide feedback and comment.
 

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.
 

This is an important process through which the City encourages residents to participate in determining rates and taxes for the following year.
 

Residents are 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.