Mayo County Council to increase rates in the county

Mayo County Council is to implement a 5% rates increase.

The annual budget meeting of the local authority was told that the increase will not have an impact on 90% of ratepayers.

The rate increase was agreed, save for a few dissenting voices, at yesterday’ s meeting and the €213 million budget was passed with a number of amendments.

Peter Duggan, Head of Finance at Mayo County Council, told councillors that the commercial rates increase of 5% included an offset for small business with a rateable valuation of less than €42,500.

“This means that 90% of ratepayers will not experience any increase in commercial rates in 2025,” stated Mr Duggan.

He said addtional funding requirements arise in respect of a number of projects including the civic offices element and cost increases in the Westport RRDF project, the Knockaphunta Large Scale Sports Capital Project in Castlebar, the Swinford Town Centre and Public Realm Project, the Belmullet RRDF, the Town Centre and The Quays projects in Ballina.

The meeting was told that larger multi-nationals and bigger businesses will bear the brunt of the rates increase.

Fine Gael party whip, Cllr Peter Flynn said he was pleased that council management had taken on board the views of the councillors with greater discretionary funding available to councillors under this budget.

“There is additional money for housing repairs and retro-fitting, there is additional money for housing adaption grants, there is additional money for piers, playgrounds and beaches. There is €400,000 included, which I think is really important, for the Municipal Districts which we can use,” said Cllr Flynn.

He said setting aside more than €1 million for Urban Regeneration Development Fund (URDF) projects will “really make a difference.” Fianna Fail whip, Cllr Damien Ryan concurred with Cllr Flynn. “It’s not just additional funding, there is additional resources going into the Muncipal Districts as well,” he stated.

“If we are going to keep this county moving forward and if we are going to be able to capitalise on the various schemes and grants that are coming down, then we have to run the affairs of the council in a prudent and efficient manner. It’s a balance between service delivery and balancing the books as well,” said Cllr Ryan.

“90% will not be affected by the rates increase and the business support scheme offsets that as well,” he added.

Party colleague, Cllr Michael Loftus was less convinced. He expressed concern that medium sized businesses like petrol stations and supermarkets will take a hit.

“You’re not hitting just the big multiples. You’re also hitting the small shopkeepers, the petrol stations,” he remarked.

Cllr Loftus questioned whether the annual rate of valuation could be adjusted up from €42,500 to €70,000. Mr Duggan informed him that would require an additional €110,000 to be found in this year’s budget.

The Crossmolina councillor said he could not support the budget and the proposed rates increase.

Cllr Paul McManamara said it unfair of the council to continuously expect rate payers to cough up.

“Every time we need money we turn to the ratepayer. Who are they supposed to tun to?” he asked.

The budget was passed following a number of amendments proposed by Cllr Ryan and seconded by Cllr Flynn.

He proposed that the provision of support to the Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) at Ireland West Airport be increased by €50,000 to €100,000. The provision for animal welfare is to be upped by €15,000 and the provision of public lighting loan charges be reduced by €65,000.