Critics flay council over rates mishap

By Jim Mynard
CASEY Mayor Kevin Bradford has apologised to ratepayers for a mistake made in the calculation of the 200607 rate notices, which resulted in ratepayers being overcharged an average $10.
It is believed the error was caused by a break down in communication rather than an incorrect calculation.
During the budget process the council decided to levy a rate with a 7.9 per cent increase, but at the last minute this was reduced to 6.8 per cent.
It is believed the message did not get through to the appropriate people in time to change the data on the rate notices.
Cr Bradford said the miscalculation was discovered following an internal review and letters were sent to ratepayers explaining the issue and apologising for the error.
“To avoid this situation occurring in the future we will be conducting a review of the method used to calculate the rates,” he said.
Cr Bradford said the least disruptive way of addressing the issue was to credit the outstanding amount in the 200708 rates notices. However, ratepayers could make an alternative arrangement by contacting the council on 9705 5200.
Mayfield Ward councillor Steve Beardon and Four Oaks Ward councillor Paul Richardson, who have long claimed the council is inefficient and covert in financial matters, have demanded to know why the mayor did not tell them earlier about the mistake.
Cr Beardon said letters to ratepayers were dated Wednesday 20 September, but he was not informed until late the next day.
“If the mayor knew about the mistake why weren’t the elected representatives told earlier.”
Cr Richardson said he was not surprised by the news because he strongly suspected that council had overcharged ratepayers.
He said he and Cr Beardon had stated at past meetings that an independent audit was required on rates and the council’s expenditure items.
“We have called for a performance review to assess and evaluate these issues.
Cr Richardson said in a revised press release that chief executive Mike Tyler was to blame.
The Gazette has been told that the mistake was found soon after the rate notices were posted and that only a small percentage of people had paid their accounts.
Cr Bradford said probably about 800 of the 83,000 had paid and many of these were adjusted at the counter.