Council’s annual review of fees and charges – have your say
Consultation on the proposed Fees and Charges 2022-23 is now closed.
Each year, Ōpōtiki District Council reviews its fees and charges schedule to ensure that they are adjusted for inflation, match legislation and other factors in Council’s Revenue and Financing Policy.
In his council paper outlining the proposed changes, Group Manager Finance and Corporate Services, Peter Bridgwater explained that there are several reasons fees and charges change.
“Generally, we try and ensure that the person who benefits pays the most towards the cost of that service through fees and charges so that the general ratepayers don’t cover those costs.
“We reviewed many of these fees and charges last year so there is no change in quite a few areas. Some costs have gone up a small amount in line with inflation. Other costs have gone up more so and those tend to reflect bigger changes. For example, our consents team are now dealing with many more complex applications and are operating in a more complicated legislative environment. The changes in the fees and charges reflect that.
“Other changes are because of factors beyond our control such as changes in the resource management legislation, increases in costs like IT hardware and software, the increase in central government’s general waste levy and the new construction and demolition fill levy.
“Where most people will notice the day-to-day costs, there isn’t significant change, for example in library fees, cemetery fees, water charges and hiring facilities. There are small changes of around 10% in other common areas such as dog registration (the first time it has increased in ten years), and licensing. Rubbish and recycling costs have gone up a little further (around a 20% increase) to reflect new government charges.
“I encourage people to take a moment to have a look at the proposed changes and provide feedback in writing or email or by filling out the form on our website,” Mr Bridgwater said.