Galway Bay fm newsroom - Commercial rates in the city and the Local Property Tax are to stay the same for 2020 but there will be a 3.5 per cent rise in the vacant property tax
Galway City Council has adopted its budget for 2020, and it will see a spend of 100 million, an increase of 12 million euro on last year
The largest spend in the city next year will be on housing and building, taking up 33 per cent of funds.
The biggest increase was for Homeless Services Grants by 3.6 million and Funding For Arts grants by 2.8 million euro.
Increased funds will also be made available for extra staff, public conveniences and park and ride services for major capital of culture events in the city next year.
Most councillors welcomed the budget and were happy with the increase, but clarification was sought on a number of issues.
A draft proposed by Independent Councillor Declan McDonnell, seconded by Independent councillor and Mayor Mike Cubbard was supported by their pact colleagues from the Social Democrats, the Green Party and Labour and was passed by 10 votes to 7.
The main amendments that were passed include, increasing vacant property rates by 3.5 percent to 63.5 percent, as well as additional funding for flood defences in the Claddagh, cycling enhancement funds and replacing fencing at the all weather pitches in Mervue.
The total amendments came to just over 360 thousand euro and will be reworked into the finance committees draft budget where possible.
City CEO Brendan McGrath cautioned councillors that an increase in commercial rates may be necessary in the near future as the rates have not kept pace with the rate of inflation.
