Richmond Valley mayor Col Sullivan has defended a proposed rate increase of up to six per cent.
The council is planning to hold a series of community forums next month to explain the hike, which has been brought about by rising costs across the board.
“Maybe they’ll decide they don’t want the rate rise but then of course they’ll have to decide a cut in services.”
Richmond Valley Council has the second lowest rates in New South Wales.
“As a ratepayer I smile about that but as an organisation trying to manage budgets it’s not good.”
