MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Mossel Bay City Improvement District (CID) hosted a successful public participation meeting regarding the Proposed Enlargement of the CID area, in the Mossel Bay Town Hall towards the end of 2019.
At this well attended meeting reasons for the proposed enlargement of the CID were discussed. The main reasons for the enlargement are to further strengthen and protect the entire Central Mossel Bay area, and not only a small portion, against urban decay and worsening crime rates, thereby protecting both the central business and residential areas, in order to preserve the area to attract economic development, particularly in the tourism industry.
The main aim is therefore to protect property values.
Although concerns were raised regarding the notice of the meeting, the directors constantly assured the audience that a thorough communication action plan to inform property owners was being developed. This plan will include door to door visits.
Important to note
The CID levy is not a municipal tax. It is a levy agreed to by citizens within the proposed geographical location, to spend as they see fit, to preserve their property values by supplying additional/top-up services. This levy is charged and collected via your municipal account, but is paid over directly to the CID.
The CID is a registered NPO, compliant with all relevant governance laws. In addition, it supplies financial statements to the municipality, which plays an oversight role, further ensuring good governance and protection of CID members' interests.
The CID is managed by a board of directors and an executive committee, currently all on a voluntary basis. All property owners who pay the levy and have completed the CID membership application form have input in how the levies are spent. The proposed action plans by the executive committee and board of directors are presented to members of the CID at the AGMs and are approved through the normal voting procedures.
The Mossel Bay CID five-year implementation plan is always available on the website, www.mosselbaycid.co.za.
Other points
During the meeting, various other issues, including action plans regarding vagrants, and co-operative agreements with the Department of Social Development, The Haven and so forth were discussed, which are aimed at minimising the influx of the homeless, and successful rehabilitation of such individuals.
Speaking at the meeting, deputy executive mayor, Alderman Dirk Kotzé, gave valuable information to help the audience to take an informed decision regarding the voting for, or against the proposed enlargement.
He strongly advised attendees to vote positively, given the excellent track record of the Mossel Bay CID, since its inception in 2012. He further informed the audience that the municipality welcomes public partnerships, focusing on safety as the cornerstone of economic growth in any area.
The Lower Town Neighbourhood Watch geographical area is the main affected area, and it wholeheartedly supports the CID Enlargement Project.
The proposed cost has been established as R45 per month, per R1 000 000 municipal valuation of your property.
"We are very sensitive to our people, as we know that making decisions which affect their finances are difficult. We do, however, urge you to make a well-informed decision. Do your own homework. Do not base your decision on hearsay or wild, uninformed comments of others, especially on social media platforms," a spokesperson for the CID says.
For more information, contact: Johan van Rensburg (CID) - 044 691-3699; Arthur Riordan (CID) - 082 702 2607; Nathan Pillay (CID) - 083 307 0748.
Interested parties are invited and encouraged to reply with feedback to marketing@mosselbaycid.co.za or alternately, projects@mosselbaycid.co.za.
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