GEORGE NEWS - Ratepayers who have still been receiving a printed monthly municipal account through the post, need not look out for it in their post box any longer.
As of 31 January, George Municipality has halted the mailing of accounts due to the "very unreliable and expensive" service of the post office, according to finance director Riaan du Plessis.
A dismayed ratepayer, Don Burns, complains that this is going to make it very difficult for many elderly people who do not have computers or an e-mail address.
He contacted George Herald when he received no response to a letter he had delivered to the municipality's finance department in December to state his objections.
Du Plessis says it costs the municipality about R10 per posted account, and most of them are not successfully delivered and returned to the municipality. "This decision was taken to save costs and to move George forward on the principles of being a smart city."
Ratepayers can have a hard copy of their monthly account printed free of charge at the cash hall in the municipality's main building, at the area offices or the Thembalethu and Waboomskraal Thusong Centres on request.
SMS
"SMSs are issued to all ratepayers who have registered their cellphone details with the municipality and the SMS will indicate the full outstanding amount of the taxpayer's account. Ratepayers can also find their account statement on the municipal app, but cannot pay their account on the app yet. Taxpayers will soon be able to pay their accounts on the app, but George Municipality will announce this," says Du Plessis.
Ratepayers can also get their account information on the website www.unipay.co.za and pay electronically.
Register your e-mail
He encouraged ratepayers to ensure that they receive their municipal account by registering to receive it via e-mail. The registration form is available at all municipal pay offices, area offices and on the George Municipality's website, under Documents.
Ratepayers in Uniondale can get hard copies of their accounts and pay at the Uniondale post office, Pep Stores and Uniondale municipal office. They can register their e-mail at accounts@george.gov.za or phone 044 752 1024 for more information.
Haarlem ratepayers can get hard copies and pay their accounts at the Haarlem municipal office and register their e-mail at accounts@george.gov.za or phone 044 763 1013.
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