North burnett council increases rates by 7% | Biloela News | Local News in Biloela

NORTH Burnett Mayor Joy Jensen has blamed the global financial crisis, amalgamation, and the cash strapped State Government for a rise in rates and utilities charges of 7% for Monto folk and the rest of the North Burnett.

Cr Jensen said many external factors have made serious imposts on the budget, including State Government Budget imposts such as increased fuel costs after the dumping of the fuel subsidy and not honouring approved State Government Grants which were already in progress; the impact of the global financial crisis resulting in the loss of $500,000 in interest on investments and ongoing amalgamation costs.

“Council's options in addressing these external impacts and increases are never easy and basically comes down to a choice between increasing rates, decreasing expenses (services) or a combination of both,” Cr Jensen said.

“However, decreasing services is just not an option for us. The council has a differential rating scheme comprising nine categories for all parcels of rateable land throughout the region.

“There will be an increase in general rates and utility charges of 7% proposed in this 2009/2010 budget and a reduction in the discount rate from 15% to 10%.”

Due to the amalgamation of the six rating structures, a capping system was introduced to manage rate increases, meaning some rates and charges will increase by more than 7%.