EXPRESS The
P3
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Locally owned and proudly independent
Mareeba Shire Council workers go on strike over pay and conditions
EXPOSED: TRC’s second rates blunder TRC admits another error made with rates as finance manager resigns FULL STORY P5 By Rebecca Wallis
Another embarrassing blunder by Tablelands Regional Council (TRC) has come to light, proving a second stuff up with this year’s rates that could mean thousands of rate payers have been incorrectly charged. A small group of ratepayers raised the issue with council last October in conjunction with the category F and G debacle that saw the council admit wrong doing and offer a concession to those affected. Steve Raso, Sandra
Curcio and Ed Kochi noticed there was also an error with the Minimum General rate (MGR) in the 2017/2018 rates schedule. TRC announced a four per cent increase to the MGR in last year’s budget, but when rates notices were issued in September 2017 the TRC finance department had actually reduced the MGR by four per cent. The group says the number of people affected is likely to be ‘substantial’. “Anyone can see it for themselves in black
and white if they compare the 2017/2018 rates schedule to the 2016/2017 schedule,” said Mr Raso . “This error runs right through the entire rates schedule across every category. The cents in the dollar rate is correct, but the Minimum General rate is four per cent less than 2016/2017.” After bringing the error to council’s attention last October, it was not until nearly five months later on Thursday, February 15 that the trio were continued P5
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debbie@amarooestate.com.au