Focus on: Directorate: Financial Services

GEORGE NEWS - The following average increases in municipal revenue from tariffs will come into effect from 1 July 2024:

Sewerage 6% 4. Rates: 6% (Valuation dependent)
Refuse 6% 5. Water 6% (Consumption dependent)
Electricity 12,72%

Indigent support and household bills

The budget is focused on the social needs of indigent households and the need to protect these households against exorbitant cost increases beyond the control of the municipality such as the Nersa-approved increases granted to Eskom.

R1,8m was ringfenced as a subsidy to allow indigent households to be able to select a higher capacity on their prepaid electricity meter. This will fund the fixed cost component of a selection of 30Amp or more per indigent household.

However, the indigent household will need to pay the capacity charge for selections of 30Amp or above, if selected.

Indigent households will therefore have a range of options available to them for managing their pre-paid electricity cost, with 20Amp being the most affordable option to them. Indigents who choose a higher level of supply will not lose their indigent status and will contribute to the cost of supply at a subsidised rate.

George Municipality offers 70 free basic units of electricity (FBE) to indigent households, which is 20kWh more than the nationally prescribed norm.

Indigent households with a property value less than R230 000 are therefore exempted from paying property rates.

Households that qualify for indigent subsidy can visit the main municipal building (cashier hall), an area office near them or the debt pack office (Millwood Building, 83 Victoria Street, George) to apply.

IDP document, budget documents and tariff list

The IDP and budget information together with the complete tariff list are available for perusal at the following venues: Office of the Director: Financial Services, First Floor, Civic Centre, George; municipal offices and libraries in Conville, Pacaltsdorp, Blanco, Thembalethu, Touwsranten, Waboomskraal, Noll, Haarlem and Uniondale; municipal area offices (Conville, Pacaltsdorp, Blanco, Thembalethu, Rosemoor, Touwsranten, Protea Park and New Dawn Park) during normal office hours.