Property values to be re-assessed next year

Re-evaluating properties to facilitate rates and taxes assessment for Neighbour-hood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and municipalities will be one of the main goals of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development next year, Junior Minister Norman Whittaker says.

Whittaker made this disclosure on Wednesday at the ministry while providing the highlights of 2011, according to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release. Whittaker said that a number of NDCs and municipalities have complained that the current rates and taxes collected for many  properties are below the current market value for them and the local government bodies have approached the ministry on the situation. He added that the ministry will make addressing the issue a priority in the coming year and it will host training programmes for persons interested in assisting in the exercise.