Council resolves to extend discount period

Charters Towers Regional Council has resolved to extend the discount period for ratepayers in a Special Meeting today.

The decision to change the prompt payment discount due date from Monday, 26 October to a new prompt payment discount due date of Monday, 16 November 2020 for the 2020/21 first half-yearly rate notices provides an extension of three weeks. 

The recommendations to do so were made to Council following feedback from some ratepayers they had not received their rate notices until well after the issue date, or at all.

Chief Executive Officer Aaron Johansson said they had received confirmation from its provider that the reason for the delay was that the barcode sorter at Townsville broke down on 24 September and had caused significant delays which were compounded by a public holiday during the period.

“Council uses a third-party bulk mailing specialist to manage the collation and distribution of its rates notices.”

“The rate notices were dispatched by our provider four days prior to issue date on 21 September 2020. Ordinarily, the four days lead time has allowed for rate notices to be received by most ratepayers within the first week following the issue date.”

“Unfortunately, these things can happen and it’s out of both Council’s and ratepayers hands. However we are pleased to provide the extension to ratepayers to avoid anyone missing the discount period due to these circumstances.”

Anyone with questions about their rates notice should call Council on 4761 5300.

CJM