WDC hosts rates discussion
The Waikato District Council will host a public information session on its Long Term Plan in Gordonton on Wednesday 21 March, from 6 – 7.30pm.
The plan proposes a general rate rise of 6.24% for 2018/19, dropping to 4.8% then 3.73% over the next two years, and 3% in the following years.
The session at the Gordonton Hall is designed to discuss with locals the issues being raised in the plan, and to answer any questions.
In addition to the general rate rise, there will be increases in targeted rates for localised services such as water supply and refuse collections, so overall rates rises may be significant for some communities.
Details about the council’s Long Term Plan (LTP), including its infrastructure and finance strategies for the next 10 years, are set out in a consultation document which will be delivered to all residents and ratepayers in the district.
The document, which is being posted to all residents and ratepayers this week, says the council’s 10-year plan aims to balance the need to spend on infrastructure such as roads and waters services, maintain it and develop it to accommodate growth while also keeping rates at an affordable level.
Public consultation on the LTP will include options for saving $28.3m on managing the district’s waters services, with a recommendation that Watercare Services Ltd be contracted to do this through a council-appointed Waters Governance Board.
It would keep targeted rates increases under 5% for all waters services from 2019/20.
Other options for public consultation include reducing the fixed charge portion of the general rate to reduce the rates burden on lower value properties.
Consultation opens on March 14 and submissions close on Monday, April 16.
Fifteen public sessions will be held, with the first taking place in Tamahere tomorrow night. One is to be held in the Ngaruawahia Bowling Club on Wednesday 4 April, from 6 – 7.30pm.
