Galway Bay fm newsroom – Galway County Councillors have decided against decreasing or increasing the rate of local property tax.
Following a vote in the Council Chamber this afternoon, the LPT rate for county home-owners will stay the same in 2016.
The matter was discussed at length at this afternoon’s meeting of the local authority.
Chief Executive Kevin Kelly outlined the impact an increase or decrease would have on the council’s budget for 2016.
He told councillors that a 1% LPT cut would slash around 143 thousand euro of the council’s spending power and have a severe negative impact on services.
He told councillors that an increase of 3% would add around half a million euro to the council coffers, ensuring that services are maintained and improved next year.
The county boss says the modest increase would have a minimal impact on householders across Galway.
The Sinn Fein contingent called for a decease of 15% , but Connemara area Sinn Fein councillor Tom Healy admitted the party does not know how the council could make up the minimum 2 million euro deficit that would result from such a decrease.
Fianna Fail councillors were among a number of local representatives that called for the tax to remain the same in 2016.
Earlier this month, Galway City Council voted to keep the rate of Local Property Tax the same for city residents.
Following a motion by Tuam area councillor Mary Hoade to leave the LPT rate as is, the County Council has now voted to do the same.