By Rebecca Fraser
CASEY Council has apologised to the city’s ratepayers for overcharging them an average of $10 – but says it will not refund those who have already paid their rates in full until next year.
Last week, the council began sending letters to the thousands of ratepayers affected by the blunder, explaining the issue and apologising for the mistake.
Casey mayor Kevin Bradford said the error had been made in the calculation of the 2006-07 rates notices and had been discovered following an internal review.
“On behalf of the council I apologise to all Casey ratepayers for any inconvenience this matter may have caused,” Cr Bradford said.
“To avoid this situation occurring in the future we will be conducting a review of the method used to calculate the rates.”
Cr Bradford said that the least disruptive way of addressing the issue was to credit the outstanding amount in the 2007-08 rates notices.
However, ratepayers have been told that they can contact council if they wish to make an alternative arrangement.
Casey councillors Paul Richardson and Steve Beardon have been quick to slam the situation and said councillors should have been informed of the mistake much earlier.
The pair has called on the council to conduct an urgent performance review in light of the mistake and hold a special council meeting to discuss the matter.
“When was this stuff-up on ratepayers being over charged an average $10 identified?” Cr Richardson said.
“How long has this council been sitting on this matter? We only heard about it on Thursday (21 September).
“Who is responsible for this stuff-up and what actions should be taken to address this matter?
“As a ward councillor of Casey Council, I was not surprised at the news, as I strongly suspected this council had overcharged our ratepayers,” Cr Richardson said.
The Four Oaks Ward councillor said the mistake would also be very expensive to rectify.
“Should council decide to write to the 75,000 ratepayers of Casey, the cost for the stamps alone will total $37,500. That excludes the other costs associated with this process,” Cr Richardson said.
Cr Beardon said he too was disappointed by the ‘expensive mistake’ and residents had every right to be outraged.
The Mayfield Ward councillor said the thousands of dollars that needed to be spent notifying residents of the error would have been much better spent on community projects, such as community kitchens, bus services and local disability programs.
Cr Beardon now intends to put a notice of motion up at next Tuesday’s council meeting calling for a vote of no confidence in the mayor.
“I have asked a lot of questions about how council manages its books since coming onto council.
“A lot of questions have come out of this mistake that need to be answered now. Where else have mistakes been made?” Cr Beardon said.
Casey councillor Michael Farley also spoke out against the blunder and called for the city’s CEO Mike Tyler to be sacked.
Cr Farley said people should be held accountable for their mistakes.
Council rates overcharge
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