Council signs off on 5% increase in commercial rates next year
The increase in rates will be the first rise in more than twenty years. Pic: iStock
Members of Roscommon County Council today agreed to a 5% increase in commercial rates in 2025, the first rise in more than twenty years.
At today's budget meeting, councillors were told this money, equating to €600,000 per annum, would be used for loan repayment and not day to day expenditure.
Public representatives welcomed the budget, particularly the increased supports on housing. However, some expressed concern about the rates increase, leading to some testy scenes in the council chamber today.
Council chief executive, Shane Tiernan, explained that it was the largest budget that ever came before councillors, with €79.7 million in the budget for 2025.
Mr Tiernan acknowledged that approving a rates increase was a difficult decision, but added that “saying no to a rates increase” would effectively be saying no to other initiatives in the county. He also said that the county had not seen a rates increase since before the financial crash.
Independent councillor Tony Ward was among a number of councilors opposed to the rates increase. He accused the ruling coalition group on the council of excluding him and three other councillors from decision making in the local authority.
Cllr Ward said that all the councillors knew of businesspeople who are closing their doors, some of them after decades in business.
Sinn Fein councillor Leah Cull said she could not support an increase at this time despite appreciating the need for funding.
Cllr Ward proposed that there would be no increase, which was seconded by Cllr Nigel Dineen (Ind).
Following a vote, the government alliance defeated the counter proposal 13 to four, and the original proposal on the rate increase was passed.
During the meeting, it was proposed that €100,000 be found to help increase footfall in commercial districts in the county. This was proposed by councillors Laurence Fallon and John Keogh and agreed by the council.
It was also confirmed at the meeting today that the draft budget was available to be viewed in Áras An Chontae by members of the public.
