Councillors have approved a 7.5% increase in the base rate of Local Property Tax for next year.
At a special meeting of Kerry County Council this afternoon, a vote to retain this year's rate of a 7.5% increase passed by the bare minimum.
Under legislation, councillors have the power annually to vary the base LPT rate for the following year by +/-15% or leave the rate unchanged.
Council CEO Moira Murrell had asked councillors to consider a 15% increase for next year.
This afternoon's meeting began with Ms Murrell outlining the reasons she had for seeking a 15% increase.
She said there is €100 million worth of major projects for towns across the county that the council is developing or plans to develop, and the council will have to contribute around €22 million of that.
Ms Murrell added a 15% increase in Local Property Tax is a considerable ask for households, but it's necessary for the county.
Fine Gael councillor Bobby O'Connell proposed a 10% increase, which was seconded by Fianna Fáil councillor Michael O'Shea.
Councillors who spoke in favour of this proposal said it's essential to invest in the county's services, and these big projects will benefit people all over Kerry.
Sinn Féin councillor Deirdre Ferris proposed not increasing the Local Property Tax above the base rate, and this also gathered support among councillors.
Independent councillor Donal Grady insisted 10% was too high, and proposed remaining at 7.5% for next year, which was seconded by Labour councillor Terry O'Brien.
After all councillors had spoken, Cllr Bobby O'Connell withdrew his initial proposal, and said he would support Cllr Grady's proposal of a 7.5% increase.
Councillors repeatedly asked the council's Chief Executive to outline which projects would not go ahead if the rate was kept at 7.5%, to which Ms Murrell replied she can't give a list here and now but some projects would have to be scaled back, or budgeted for in a different way, which may mean other services are impacted.
Following a five minute recess, a vote was taken on Cllr Grady's proposal, which passed by 17 councillors to 16.
Results from vote on proposal to increase the base rate by 7.5% for 2022
Barry Tom, SF: Against
Beasley Robert, SF: Against
Cahill Michael, FF: For
Connor-Scarteen Patrick, FG: For
Cronin Brendan, Ind: Against
Farrelly Charlie, Ind: Against
Ferris Deirdre, SF: Against
Finucane Jim, FG: For
Fitzgerald Breandan, FF: For
Fitzgerald Fionnan, FF: For
Fitzgerald Seamus Cosai, FG: For
Flynn John Francis, FF: For
Foley Cathal, SF: Against
Foley Michael, FG: Against
Grady Donal, Ind: For
Healy-Rae Jackie, Ind: Against
Healy-Rae Johnny, Ind: Against
Healy-Rae Maura, Ind: Against
Kelleher Niall, FF: For
Kennelly Mike, FG: Against
Locke Sam, Ind: Against
McCarthy Dan, Ind: Against
Moloney Jimmy, FF: For
Moloney Marie, Lab: Against
Moriarty Norma, FF: For
O'Brien Terry, Lab: For
O'Callaghan Niall, Ind: Against
O'Connell Bobby, FG: For
O'Donoghue John, KIA: For
O'Shea Michael, FF: For
Sheehy Mikey, FF: For
Thornton Aoife, FG: Against
Wall Johnnie, FF: For
