Goyang-si Ranks 1st in Group 1 of Gyeonggi-do for Environmental Improvement Charge Comprehensive Evaluation

Environmental Improvement Charge Collection Rate Records 38.1%
Significantly Higher Than National Average of 33.7%

Goyang Special City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Dong-hwan) announced on the 2nd that it achieved an environmental improvement charge collection rate of 38.1% (national average 33.7%) in the ‘2024 City and County Comprehensive Evaluation’ conducted by Gyeonggi Province, ranking first among the 10 cities in Group 1 with a population of over 500,000 (including Suwon, Yongin, Hwaseong, Seongnam, etc.).

A view of Goyang Special City Hall. Provided by Goyang Special City.

The City and County Comprehensive Evaluation is a system that evaluates the administrative capabilities of local governments by measuring the performance of 104 detailed indicators composed of government joint evaluation-linked policies and major provincial government initiatives, dividing the 31 cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province into three groups by population.

Among them, the ‘Environmental Improvement Charge Collection Rate Increase’ is a quantitative indicator linked to the government joint evaluation under the current administration’s 120 national tasks, specifically ‘88. Blue Skies Without Fine Dust Concerns.’

As of the end of August 2024, Goyang City recorded an environmental improvement charge collection rate of 38.1%, which is significantly higher than the national average collection rate of 33.7% and the Group 1 average collection rate of 33.5% in Gyeonggi Province.

Thus, Goyang City not only obtained the highest grade, S grade, in the 2024 environmental improvement charge collection rate evaluation indicator but also ranked first within Group 1, which consists of 10 cities in Gyeonggi Province with populations over 500,000.

This year, Goyang City implemented the nation’s first batch imposition system for environmental improvement charges to resolve complaints caused by the post-payment system and to prevent arrears.

Additionally, from April to July, it designated a concentrated arrears settlement period, operating a collection responsibility system and a telephone encouragement team on a time basis, sending out arrears notices simultaneously, and conducting on-site investigations of delinquent corporations (business sites).

For high-amount and chronic defaulters, Goyang City not only seized vehicles but also warned of wage and real estate seizures through regular property inquiries to induce voluntary payment, striving to minimize environmental improvement charge arrears.

A Goyang Special City official stated, “We will continue to make efforts to improve the environmental improvement charge collection rate,” adding, “We will do our best to create a clean air environment so that citizens can live in a pleasant environment.”