On the occasion of the martial climate maintained with the attacks of the Panagopoulos faction to the municipal authority, regarding the municipal fees and the recent recommendation of Councillor Nikos Magoulas to the Finance Committee for their reduction, Kythera.News has detected in cyberspace the rates of contributory charges for cleaning and electric lighting that apply in other Greek islands. The conclusion of the survey is particularly interesting, as the figures show that, Tsirigians pay the most expensive electricity and cleaning fees for their homes along with Mykonians, while for businesses the corresponding fees are cheaper than on all other islands.
The islands surveyed are Milos, Sifnos, Paros, Kea, Nisyros, Zakynthos and Mykonos. It is worth mentioning that Kythera and Mykonos have rates for houses that are at the levels of the municipalities of the Attica basin. I wonder if the houses of the Chirigoi can they afford rates comparable to the Athenian municipalities in the midst of a pandemic and with such expensive rates?;
This question will soon be answered by the island's citizens themselves, as the economic crisis is not only knocking at their door, but with the uncertainty of the outcome of the pandemic, will lead the local community on a difficult path in 2021 and then. So far no reactions from society have been recorded. The municipal authority insists on refusing to consult on reductions coefficients with the opposition, using the balanced budgets as an argument. Which of course applies to all municipalities, even those that are currently reducing their tariffs. The issue is a burning one and the main opposition remains adamant on the demand for reductions. The minor opposition, the faction of Mr Dimitris Kontoleontos, had done in the spring, during the first lockdown, proposals for household and business relief, then Vote against through its councillor κ. Mr. Manos Trifilli the Suggestions Harhalakis in financial committee (via email). Details the «letter-vote» published today in Kythera.News.
. He has not taken a position on the council tax controversy and seems not to be following the major opposition.
Unfortunately, the data of the investigation does not fully justify either the rigid attitude of the municipal authority or the universal aggressive attitude of the major opposition on the issue of municipal fees. It is found that while for houses a generous reduction of the rate can be discussed, for the businesses the divergence of fees is such that only «free» could be considered the charges imposed by the Municipality of Kythira. From the above, it seems unfair that speculative activity should be rewarded to an unprecedented degree, and that the burden should be borne more by households. So a shift of the burden from households to businesses would be fair. A consultation of the factions in mild tones with consultation and cooperation is imperative. Finally it is worth noting that unlike other municipalities, in Kythera until today has not been established rate of the contribution to the public service charge for non-profit and charitable purposes as provided for by the legislation in force.
The investigation did not extend to water and sewerage tariffs, nor to charges for common areas and uncleaning. The Kythera.News will present data on these in future publications. Here are the tables with the rates of contributory cleaning and lighting charges applicable in other Greek islands, as we mention the rates for Kythera which are:
house €1,22 per sq.m., business €1,60 per sq.m. and municipal tax €0,20 per sq.m.
Please note that the following charges are applicable, while many municipalities are dramatically reducing the rates in their 2021 budget.
Municipality of Kea
Extremely low rates for residential and utility, but 0.10 higher on businesses.
Municipality of Sifnos
From the lowest rates for households, but at €2.06 for businesses
Municipality of Nisyros
Another island with a low rate of €1.00 per sq.m. for houses, but €2.00 per sq.m. for businesses
Municipality of Milos
Houses are charged 1.14 per sq.m. but businesses are charged €2.53 per sq.m.
Municipality of Mykonos
More cheaply than Kythera, Mykonians pay for their houses with €1.19 but for businesses the fee is equivalent to €5.95 per square meter which is explained by the effect of tourism on cleaning and lighting costs.
Municipality of Paros
Very low charges for houses at €0.90 per sq.m. and differentiated charges per area for businesses.
Municipality of Zakynthos
Extremely low rates outside Zakynthos town and at «Kythera» prices for Zakynthos town for houses, while businesses are at €1.95 per sq.m.
