The first phase of the updating of the George Municipality General Valuation Roll is nearing completion as data collectors and assessors finalise inspections of an estimated 50 000 properties in the George municipal area.
George Municipality Chief Financial Officer Keith Jordaan said municipalities were required by law to update valuation roles every four years to, among other things, determine whether the municipality’s rates are in line with the real property value and service requirements of the city.
“Four years can be a long time, especially in a city such as George which has grown exponentially in recent years. Updating the role is an opportunity for ratepayers to get an idea of the real market value of their properties, as opposed to an inflated value linked to an active property market, and gives citizens a chance to engage with the municipality in this regard,” said Mr Jordaan.
The appointed service provider, CDV Property Valuers (Pty) Ltd, has been on the job since June (2017) and used an array of information-gathering methods including analysing aerial photographs, site visits and neighbourhood drive-throughs.
New data will be checked against current municipal information and the Final General Valuation Role published for comment in January 2018. The document will be available at municipal offices, libraries and on the municipal website, etc.
Mr Jordaan said it was very important that ratepayers participated in the next phase of the project as their valuations would affect the rates they paid on their own properties as well as the overall rate value calculations for the city. Citizens will have 30 days from the first date of publication to inspect the general valuation roll and lodge objections pertaining to a specific property, in writing, if necessary.
“While property prices have sky-rocketed in certain areas in George over the past few years, residents can be assured that the municipality will look at the overall picture to determine rates, based on updated information and that will ensure the municipality grow with the city and its ever-expanding needs,” said Mr Jordaan.