15% increase in Mayo local property tax is mooted

ELECTED members of Mayo County Council are being asked to approve a 15% increase in Local Property Tax (LPT) at their statutory meeting tomorrow.

The recommendation has been put forward by the authority's director of finance, Peter Duggan.

He explained: "The council's deficit on its revenue account at December 31, 2018, was €4.53 million and preliminary projections for Budget 2020 indicate additional unfunded demands of €2.7 million.

"There is no scope to reduce expenditure without putting significant pressure on the delivery of services. 

"In light of this, the maximum increase in LPT is necessary to reduce this funding gap.

"This would generate additional income of €1.56 million and this would partfund the additional requirements of €2.70 million."

In accordance with Section 7 of the Local Property Tax (Local Adjustment Factor) Regulations 2014, an advertisment seeking submissions from the public were placed tn three local newspapers by Mayo County Council on July 9 and 10 last.

No submissions were received on or before the August 17 deadline.

The council has until September 30 to make a decision on Mr, Duggan's recommendation.