Mayor went against Motion on COVID-19 Economic Crisis Financial Assistance to the Ratepayers - Shoalhaven City Council

Local Council debates on reductions to Council rates, sewer rate, water rates and domestic water due to Coronavirus COVID-19 raised a debate on an issue that should have been unanimously voted on.

You are probably scratching your head wondering, what do I mean? Well, it is simple both Federal and State governments who collect revenue have been digging deep helping out job keepers, helping out landlords with tenants on hardship and many other government handouts. So why shouldn't Council support ratepayers reduction/refund in times of hardship on Coronavirus COVID-19. 

All governments have a right to help people in their own ways. Rates is one way of collecting funds from Councils - from both homeowners and business owners. The other ways are from State and Federal Government and the sale of Council assets.

The question of providing $300 as an optional rebate to ratepayers, is, in general, a positive way of assisting their constituents, in these different and hardship times. 

On the flip side of the coin is the total cost to ratepayers, which is the revenue lost by the Council: Approximately $17.5M.

With a net surplus in 20198-2019 Annual Financial Budget of approximately $78M Click here on Page 7 for details , Shoalhaven City Council can afford to provide COVID-19 Optional rebates to Ratepayers.

I have listened to the webcast of Council Meeting  26th May 2020 and don't understand why it was debated and won 12 to 1 - with the Mayor against the motion.

Click here for the webcast - and view around 1.31minutes