Council wants 15% hike in local property tax implemented

Westmeath County Council is seeking to increase the local property tax rate by 15%.

Councillors are due to decide on Monday what, if any, variation to the current local property tax rate to apply for 2021.

A public consultation process has been under way and a report by the council's chief executive Pat Gallagher, which recommends the 15% increase, is to be brought before councillors at the next monthly meeting of the local authority, on Monday.

It would result in 41% of Westmeath property owners seeing their local property tax bill rise by €13.50 next year, while another 36.5% of owners would experience a €33.75 hike.

The estimated local property tax income in the county this year is €6.48m, with some 36,200 properties liable for the tax in Westmeath.

The council says a 15% increase in the local property tax would generate income of circa €972,000 in 2021.

It says the funding is required in light of the unprecedented financial uncertainty facing the council, the impact of the pandemic on rates and other locally-generated income and in order to maintain current service levels in 2021.

A 15% rise in the local property tax in Westmeath would mean an increase of €13.50 per annum for householders whose property is valued at less than €100,000 and who currently pay €90 per year.

Those whose homes are valued at between €100,001 and €150,000 would see their annual payment of €225 increase by €33.75. This group represents some 36.5% of the property owners.

If the 15% hike is agreed there would be an increase of €47.25 per year for property owners in the valuation band between €150,001 and €200,000. Owners in this category, which represent, 16.6% of all those who pay the tax, are currently paying €315 per year.

There would be a €60.75 increase per year on the current property tax of €405 which those whose homes are valued between €200,001 and €250,000 are liable for.

And those with properties valued above €250,000 would see their rates increase by at least €74, from the current rate of €495 plus.