BOROUGH OF MOSGIEL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22564, 7 May 1935, Page 13

BOROUGH OF MOSGIEL

THE RECENT REVALUATION ■ i Aa doubt appears to exist in the minds of some ratepayers .regarding the recent revaluation of the Borough of Mosgiel, the council has decided to give a. brief explanation for the benefit of those concerned. The reasons for-the revaluation have been given more than once, so that it is considered there is no need to, traverse them again. The statement says that, in comparing the new valuations with the old ones, ratepayers should completely ignore the valuation as shown on their rate demands for the year 1934-1935, for the reason that such valuations represented a reduction, for that year only, of 25 per cent, on the valuations as shown in the valuation roll (excepting those cases where revaluations had already been obtained and also those properties coming under the Urban Farm Lands Rating Act) . The correct comparison would, therefore, be obtained by comparing the new valuation with the valuation as shown on the rate demands for the year 1933-1934, excepting, of course, in the cases lastly referred to. In discussing this matter it should be remembered that the system of rating in force in the Borough of Mosgiel is on the unimproved value of the respective properties.

As ratepayers will naturally be desirous of knowing the further effect of the revaluation on their rates, it seems opportune, the statement continues, to make a brief explanation of this aspect of the position. It should first be mentioned that the revaluation will not in ' the slightest degree affect or alter the total amount of rates levied by the council. (For the year just closed this amounted to £4312.) It will, therefore, alter the incidence of rating fOr the reason that the alterations in the valuations differ proportionately as between individual ratepayers and, in some cases, the differences appear to be pronounced. With respect to urban-farm lands within the borough, upon any revaluation of the borough being made, a new urban farm lands roll must be prepared in the same manner as the present roll was made. All rates on properties included in the farm lands roll will be levied only on the basis of the valuation appearing in such roll.

It should be explained, in conclusion, that, the revaluation was not in any way carried out by the council. The only steps which were taken by the council were in connection with the original request for a revaluation, and on its completion the appointment of an assessor. Other than these two matters (and the fact that- the provisional valuation roH may now be inspected at the office of the council) the council as such has had no control whatever in the matter, the revaluation having been carried out by officers,of the Valuation Department, and any objections which it is now desired to make must be made direct to the Valuation Office at Dunedin, and not to the council. Any reasonable explanation of any matters arising out of the revaluation will be given by the town clerk.