CARRICK ratepayers are expected to face an above-inflation hike in their annual bills.
Councillors and officers are finalising budget estimates for the new financial year with a five per cent increase anticipated in the district domestic rate.
The Mayor of Carrick, Alderman David Hilditch MLA, pointed to a number of major projects b
eing factored into the calculations.
“It’s likely to include a brand new community centre for Eden and there’s the scheme at the Leisure Centre,” he said.
“In recent years the rate has been among the lowest struck in the province but this time it may be over inflation, around a five per cent increase.”
A site is understood to have been identified for the new facility at Eden and work is continuing on the multi-million upgrade of the leisure centre, which closed at the end of June.
A 5.88 per cent rise in “inescapable burdens” such as landfill tax and tipping charges plus higher fuel prices are all adding to the local authority’s running costs.
Although the deadline for striking the rate isn’t until Friday, 15 February, council may announce the figure as early as Monday.
The total bill delivered to householders will include both the district and regional rate, which is set by the Assembly at Stormont.
Last year, Carrick Council approved a 2.81 per cent rise - the seventh lowest in the province.
The full article contains 240 words and appears in Carrick Times newspaper.
