The systems that staff use to manage council's finances are one of the largest areas of change in council's ongoing business improvement program. New software has created more efficient processes for tracking income and expenditure, managing how goods and services are bought and creating reports.
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While most of this change is about improving efficiencies for staff, one of the things the community will notice is the new-look rates notice mailed out recently. The simple design on the new notice makes it easier to understand. It shows all the information ratepayers need such as the assessment number, a breakdown of the different costs that make up the rates and charges, the total amount due and the amount owing if payments are made in installments.
General Manager Craig Milburn complimented the staff on the work that has gone into the project.
"While the business improvement program to date has largely been about using improved technology to create better work practices, with the new rates notice we have improved the experience for our customers. We researched other Councils' notices, spoke to customers and worked across a number of internal teams to redesign the notices to make it much easier to see what makes up your rates and charges and when your payments are due," said Mr Milburn.
The new notice doesn't change how rates and charges are calculated or the amount people pay. Rebates still apply for eligible pensioners who receive a pension from either Centrelink or the Department of Veterans' Affairs and are entitled to a concession card.
"To bring us in line with common practice in Local Government those receiving a pensioner rebate will now be charged interest on any overdue amounts. We are also asking people who pay by BPay to check and update the Reference Number for any saved payment data through internet banking.
"If people have questions about the new look rates notice or their payments please contact our Customer Service team or pop into the Tozer Street offices," said Mr Milburn.
