The Mayor and City Council says rates for the first quarter of the year are due on February 1.
In a press release, the council said property-holders who default on payments are affecting its ability to carry out its mandate as its revenue base is “very narrow” adding that the situation has been exacerbated by increases in the cost of commodities used in the solid waste management programme, to provide road repairs, environment and public health and other services.
The council said over the years it has taken steps to recover outstanding sums and has initiated legal proceedings against many defaulters. It has also designed a payment plan for defaulting property owners who are experiencing difficulties fulfilling their civic obligations. Despite this, the council said, several defaulters remain unconvinced of the need to settle their accounts and as such it plans to “aggressively pursue all defaulters to collect its rates.” These include escapees of the tax register on properties built or extended without approval of plan or permission and properties recorded as domestic in assets but operating as commercial in reality.
