2007/2008 - Rates For The Year
Rates Required
The rates required to fund Councils activities for 2007/2008 amounts to $6.5 million (General Rates $4 515 000 and Targeted Rates $1 958 000) compared to $6.3 in 2006/2007. There is a 2.7% increase in the rate revenue required. A little over 1.0% of the increase will come from growth in the district so the average rate payer will see an increase of approximately 1.7%. This will vary from ratepayer to ratepayer depending on size and value of property and the services (such as water supply and sewerage disposal) which they receive. The differential rates on larger properties have also had a minor decrease.
The 2006 Ten Year Community Plan indicated, for the 2007/08 year, that there would be an increase of 6.78% in the general rate revenue with the total rate revenue increasing 4.86%. We have made a number of adjustments to the estimates including:
Opotiki Wharf. Council staff have noticed significant deterioration of the concrete piles of the wharf. $15 000 has been provided to repair and prevent further damage occurring.
Environmental Planning. A number of planned environmental research projects have been delayed resulting in reduced expenditure of $24 000.
Communications. Councils budget for public communications has been decreased by $10 000 reflecting a reduction in major projects.
Playgrounds. Funds of $10 000 have been provided for maintenance and upgrade of existing playground equipment.
Visitor Information Centre. Improvements to the office leased by Department of Conservation are planned. Council has provided $60 000 to also upgrade the adjoining Visitor Information Office at the same time.
Library. A review of library services and facilities is scheduled to take place 2007/08. It is proposed that any subsequent capital works be delayed by one year to decrease this years funding requirements.
Sale yard. Council purchased the Opotiki sale yards knowing that some site investigations and remediation would be required before development could take place. Funds of $10 000 have been provided for a report on contamination from an old stock dip area on the property.
Building Act Accreditation. $40 000 has been provided to ensure Council continues to meet legislative requirements under the Building Act.
Depreciation for capital works. Council staff have developed a formula which enables better use of depreciation for funding capital works.
Fun Unplugged. Funds of $22 000 have been provided to enable continuation of the successful Tourism and Promotions project Fun Unplugged.
Fees and Charges. A review of Council fees and charges has seen an increase of between 3% and 10%. This compares favourably with 20-40% increases in some other districts.
With these, and some other minor adjustments Council has achieved a draft rate revenue requirement of:
General rate revenue increase 2.43%
Total rate revenue increase 2%.