ARC votes to keep last year's rating system

But the outcry over last year's rates bills has created an opening for change - to a system that promises to ease the ratepayer's burden.

Councillors last month voted 7-5 to keep the present system, which indicates an average 3.2 per cent increase in rates for the region's 460,000 rateable properties.

But councillors face an election in six months and preference for the status quo will be severely tested by the time they meet late next month to approve the annual plan and strike the final rate for the year.

All councillors are happy that four rating system choices are put up for public comment as part of the draft annual plan consultation.

Property owners are invited to comment by May 3.

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