Loss of almost €500k as rates appeals conclude

All of the 121 rates appeals lodged after the revaluation of properties in Westmeath seven years ago have now been decided.

As a result of the success of some of the appeals, the council will incur an annual loss in rates income from those premises of circa €487,400, members of Westmeath County Council were informed by finance director, Michael Hand, at their January financial meeting, held on Monday of last week.

Overall, however, the income from rates received by the council in 2024 amounted to €18.0m against a budget of €17.86m, a surplus of circa €138,900.

For 2025, Mr Hand went on to say, commercial rates income has been budgeted at €18,537,519, and the demands have been issued.

He explained that the reason the budget income is up so much on last year’s level is because during 2024, the council received revised global valuation certificates for both Uisce Éireann and ESB.

“That resulted in a budgeted increase in the amount of circa €507,000 for 2025 and subsequent years, largely accounting for the increase in budget from 2024,” he stated.

Mr Hand revealed that the council had in 2024 collected 96.83 per cent of the rates due to it.

Ratepayers who do not pay their rates bills on time will be facing interest payments of 8 per cent on whatever they owe, Mr Hand added.

However, he continued, the council continue to provide a direct debit scheme enabling the payment of rates over 11 equal monthly instalments.

He said that in the demand letters, ratepayers have also been informed that the council have agreed to continue the rates grant, to assist ratepayers with the payment of their rates bills. The grant, which will be applied at a rate of 6% of the rates bill for 2024, up to a maximum amount of €300, will be administered in accordance with last year’s criteria but does not apply to any rates bill exceeding €5,000.

Mr Hand said the letter to ratepayers also explains that the council recognise that there are ratepayers not in a position to pay what they owe, and advises that any ratepayer in that position should let the council know, and they would make every effort to agree a mutually acceptable payment plan.