Valuation of Umtali is overdue

The Rhodesia Herald,
May 30, 1967
DIFFICULTIES in carrying out the general revaluation of Umtali, now three years overdue, have been explained to the Minister of Local Government by Umtali Town Council, which is seeking his consent for a further year’s extension of the time limit.

One of the main difficulties is the shortage of professional men to undertake this specialised work.

The Acting Town Clerk, Mr L.J. Bloomfield, said at the last Council meeting that the intention had been to have the general revaluation of Umtali completed by June 30, 1968.

It had been impossible to foresee then that the valuator would go to Salisbury.

In an interview today, Clr C. Mordt said there is supposed to be a revaluation of the town every 10 years, with the right to apply for extensions for the next four years.

“But what happens if the revaluation has not been completed by that time?” he asked.

If Umtali has not been revalued for 14 years, it is impossible to tell whether its rateable value is correct and whether its borrowing powers should be higher or lower.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

In life, there are some things that cannot be determined by just observing or guessing without carrying out a thorough assessment that gives empirical evidence that can be proven.

For cities and towns to grow and offer satisfactory services to its residents, they should charge appropriate rates. In recent years, some councils have been failing to collect the revenues they are owed by residents because some of the figures they charge are not realistic and some appear to be thumb suck figures.

Things have to be done at the appropriate time because postponing or suspending some processes can have dire consequences.