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I have moved websites. Please visit www.timwilson.org. See you there.

Green Hall needs a new name

Well the Green Hall isn't green anymore. Council has allocated
$150,000 to remove asbestos, reclad the building and make some
alterations inside. The project is currently underway.

With an active strong committee the hall has a chance of thriving
again. I hope the community embrace the facility and enjoy it.

With the asbestos out of the way the facility will be easier and
cheaper to maintain.

Farmers Market

We have been at Devonport's Farmers Market this morning.

As fuel prices increase into the future I predict more frequent
selling from farmers directly to consumers.

I would like to see a local farmer grow some spuds just for locals.
Unsure of the best way to initiate this. Any ideas?

New Arrival

We have a new son Thomas. He was born around 10 days ago. Eight
children now for the Wilsons. A full and happy life.

Rates 09-10

Well the budget is set.

My General Rate has increased over 40%. The Annual Assessed value increased by close to 70%.

Have a look at the graph. Over 50% of rateable properties saw either a decrease in their General Rate or an increase up to 5%. The rest have seen higher increases (including me). This is the first valuation in 5 years for my property and Valuer General's department feel my place has increased dramatically in value.

The Annual Accessed Value (AAV) is what Council uses to work out your rates. This is either 4% of the capital value of your property or the rent you could reasonably assume to receive through renting your property for 12 months.

Your rates are not directly related to the services you receive. Some people argue that they don't use the streetscape so they shouldn't have to pay for it. Well I could argue that I do not use the bridge near their home but I still pay for it. We all subsidize each other. Everybody's General Rates are put into a central fund and then distributed to different departments such as Parks and Gardens, Youth, Tourism and Bridge Maintenance.

A few facts and figures:

- Our new waste disposal contract will increase by $88.000
- Council is budgeting for a $70,000 surplus, Council's is determined to run surplus budgets each year.
- Rate revenue is forecast to be $3,395,577
- Council has dropped $1.28 million in loans (due to water and sewerage offload)
- Council has picked up a $1 million loan for streetscapes. Share the burden with future ratepayers.
- Predicted cash reserves are $1.35 million
- Council to spend $1.1 million on a new road into Lorinna
- Average Annual Assessed Value of properties in Kentish is $10,687.52

Sean Ford recently said of Kentish Rates in a recent Advocate article "KENTISH ($1084.84): Used to charge so little it was unsustainable, but that has clearly changed. Lots of rural roads and bridges and a low population. Probably acceptable, but would not want to go any higher compared to the cities and looks a bit
next to Circular Head"

I will comment on this soon...

Recycle Bins

Well they are hitting the streets this morning. Please use them and
save us a bucketload of money as well as slowing down the landfill
expansion.

Please note there will be no pickup service until September.

Budget

Tonight we hope to wrap up the 09/10 budget including setting the rates. If there is a time when we can cop some corporate flak it is rates time.

Valuations have recently been undertaken in the municipality with some properties more than doubling in value. Rates in all but one municipality in Tasmania are based on this valuation amount. This however does not automatically mean a doubling in everyone's rates. We as a council can control the increases.

So tonight we decide. It is in Council's strategic plan that we run a surplus so I expect this is what we will do. I will certainly go into bat to achieve one.

Big projects before Council include 2 streetscapes, the Botts Road extension and bridge maintenance. What can be funded and what cannot will be decided tonight.

As per usual some will be happy, some will be unhappy and some won't care either way!

We can lower rates significantly if residents are content with significantly less services. Should council's just be rates, roads and rubbish? What about social and economic functions eg youth workers, tourism.....?