Yass Valley Council has deferred the application to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for a special rate variation of 10.9 percent in 2015/16, following a public forum on Tuesday night.  

Over 70 residents attended the first of two forums at Yass Memorial Hall, where the majority were vehemently opposed to the proposed permanent increase.

Council are hoping to raise $630,000 during the coming financial year from the special rate variation, to provide funding for road maintenance, timber bridge repair and replacement, and to maintain the current service levels.  

The percentage is calculated by an 8.5 percent rate rise, combined with the rate peg of 2.4 percent. 

General Manager David Rowe said the response to the issue of the proposed rate rise has received mixed responses. 

“Some ratepayers understand the need for a rate rise, many others are irate at the prospect of having to pay an increase and can’t comprehend why Council is in its current position,” he said.   

“We will continue to provide information to ratepayers to explain the reasons behind the proposed increase and look forward to feedback from ratepayers over the next month."

Resident Ian Wearing said that council weren’t well prepared for Tuesday night's meeting, unable to answer many of the questions.

“There was very widespread dissatisfaction. Council said that if they couldn't get the rate increase they would have to cut services, [but] it was incorrect because council hadn’t been able to demonstrate that it was finding efficiencies and savings within it’s own operations,” Mr Wearing said. 

“Council has lots of assets and owns a fair bit of property, it should look at those properties and see if they are getting value for money. 

“The general opinion was - Do your job better before you impose a huge burden on ratepayers.” 

The Tribune asked the Council to comment on the sale of assets and why the properties don’t pay rates, making $0 return. David Rowe said that council makes strategic asset purchases for the long term benefit of the community.  

“The sale of assets is not a solution to restoring ongoing annual operating deficits,” he said.

Local resident Wayne Stuart said council can't warrant a rate increase, as unsatisfactory management has been provided by the organisation.   

“... it is very clear to me that any such upwards variation in rates are usually promoted by people who are drawing good, if not very high, salaries and for whom a 'minor' change such as this [is] not significant,” he said. 

“I suggest the very first consideration by Council should be the impact any change to rates will have on its ratepayers, across the board.”

Mr Stuart also questioned the funding for the new Yass Valley Community Centre. 

“I am a great supporter of this facility, having been involved in its original promotion and having undertaken some of the work. I consider it will more than repay Council’s reported investment of around $75,000 to refurbish and bring the building up to current standards,” he said.

“In my view, there was no need for this work to be funded from Council resources,” Mr Stuart said.

He also suggested that there should have been more emphasis on applying for grants. 

Local resident Touie Smith Snr also identified a number of issues from Tuesday's meeting.  

“The General Manager has two answers to a lack of funds. Cut services or increase rates. We need a bit of effort to collect the $1,023,000 in unpaid rates and charges. What about the monies outstanding from the previous General Managers grand investment plan of investing in Lehman Brothers?” he said.

Mr Smith stated that the mood of the meeting was one of distrust from the floor and superiority from the lectern. He said selling council assets is a viable option.

Mr Smith also stated that potential savings could be found in the personalised number plates, Council food and alcohol after a council meeting, staff travelling, buying product and services at a more competitive price. 

Mr Rowe said that council notified IPART late last year about the proposed Special Rate Variation and will be seeking an extension until March 30.  

“An extension will allow the  community feedback period [to] continue until the March 9.”

The rate rise will be discussed at the March 25 council meeting.