Commercial ratepayers in Leitrim can expect to pay on average €60 euro extra in rates next year after the County Council agreed on a slight rise this afternoon.
A special meeting of the local authority today heard that the rise would help fund projects to assist local businesses and enhance public realms and infrastructure across the county.
Council Chief Executive Lar Power outlined to the meeting that he was proposing a three percent rise in light of government forecasts for strong economic growth in the next two years.
He claimed that over €25m would be required to match fund projects worth a total of €345m as part of a strategic capital investment programme outlined by the Council as part of its 2020 Budget.
Council executive Vincent Dwyer explained that 80% of ratepayers in the county pay less than €3,000 per year and the 3% rise would mean €60 extra for anyone who pays around €2,000 per year
However, the proposal did not meet with universal approval by Councillors- Des Guickian claimed the 3% rise was "over the top" and north Leitrim publican Felim Gurn suggested the "timing was wrong" as companies may have opened their doors but were still paying 18 months' worth of bills.
Councillor Ira Reynolds Flynn claimed she was caught in the crossfire of supporting the rise, but when she looked around her town of Ballinamore, she had to support efforts to make the community better.
Despite pleas to defer the rise by some Councillors, the increase was proposed by Cathaoirleach Paddy O'Rourke and seconded by Councillor Enda McGloin.
The meeting also agreed to maintain the 75% vacant commercial rate refund.
