Mitcham Mayor says council needs rate rise of at least 4.5 per cent

The new mayor of Mitcham says her council needs a rate rise of more than 4.5 per cent next financial year to pay for — among other things — higher salaries for councillors.

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Mitcham Mayor Heather Holmes-Ross is advocating a rate rise of more than 4.5 per cent next financial year to pay for, among other things, “increased elected member payments” and improvements to the mayoral office.

Dr Holmes-Ross says even to maintain the status quo and provide no extra services ratepayers, a rate rise of 3.2 per cent is necessary.

This financial year, rates in Mitcham went up 2.97 per cent. Prospect Council adopted the highest increase in Adelaide at 3.5 per cent.

In an email to councillors sent before taking a 10-day cruise, Dr Holmes-Ross asked members, debating budget issues in her absence, to consider “what our community wants most from us”.

“Do you believe the best thing for your community is to provide no extra services?” she wrote.

“If so, then you need to vote for a 3.2 per cent rate rise.

“If you believe that the community wants more — like addressing the asset backlog, planting extra trees, a better level of communication with council, or anything else new (like increased elected member payments for being on a board), you need to fund it.”

The mayor, elected in November after a close and bitter tussle with former mayor Glenn Spear, told the HillsValley Weekly she believed 4.7 per cent was the optimum rate rise.

Mitcham Mayor Heather Holmes-Ross. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

“I’ve added up all the things that seem reasonable to do,” she said.

“We’re eight years behind in assets maintenance and the chamber is looking to do that in the next four years.

“Council has traditionally run on the smell of an oily rag … and as a result we have footpaths crumbling. That’s not my fault. We are picking up the ball because of the failings of past administrations.

“To do that is almost a 1 per cent increase on top of the 3.2 per cent we need to stand still.

“Then there is the increase to our tree planting regime … money on communications … and other things.”

Former Mitcham mayor Glenn Spear. Picture: Keryn Stevens

She believed the Mitcham community would support a higher rate rise.

“When I was campaigning I didn’t have people saying we want lower rates but they said they wanted more services,” she said.

“The rate increase is totally relative to the rates you have been paying.

“If you have been paying at a lower level, then a higher increase is not necessary a lot of money.

“But, look, I don’t think that will pass (4.7 per cent) but it is my dream.”

The mayor missed a public meeting on March 19 to discuss the upcoming budget, due to illness.

Those in attendance were told she had lodged a budget bid of $8000 for new office furniture in the mayoral parlour.

But a Mitcham spokeswoman told the HillsValley Weekly the administration submitted the bid to improve the “functionality and accessibility” of the mayor’s office and the multi-use meeting room.

Last year, the council discussed the possibility of a 3.25 per cent rate rise, with Mr Spear using his casting vote to lock in the lower figure of 2.97 per cent.

At the time, Mr Spear said it was “lazy” for councillors to consider an increase of more than 3 per cent.