The first take on a budget for next financial year has the Waitaki District Council looking at an overall rates rise of 2.9%, slightly higher than the figure presented at the start of yesterday's meeting.
A first draft 2014-15 budget, part of a 10-year long-term plan, showed a 2.7% increase, but after councillors had gone through proposed projects and made changes it rose to 2.9%.
This financial year the council had a 3.9% rise to collect $28.35 million. A 2.9% rise would collect a total of $29.944 million next financial year.
However, there is a way to go yet for a final figure, including another consideration of the draft in February and March before it goes out for public consultation.
After considering the public response, the council will again work through the plan before final formal approval in June.
Another issue in the 10-year plan was a projected 4.7% rates rise in 2017-18. Councillors managed to get that down to a proposed 2.6%, to collect $30.718 million, by spreading some of the expenditure into other years which had lower increases.
Yesterday was a chance for councillors to go through proposals and determine what should be in or out, so staff can bring back a further report and modified budget on February 18.
At that meeting, final decisions would be made so on March 18 the draft LTP can be approved for public consultation.
At the February meeting, councillors will get the first indication what effects changes in rating valuations after last month's revaluation will have on ratepayers.
Major moves in property valuations could cause individual rates rises beyond the final average.
Projects removed from the 2014-15 budget which would be paid for by rates were $30,000 for a development consents officer and $10,000 to investigate privatisation of small rural water supplies.
Added in to be funded by rates was $150,000 to bring forward funding for solid waste disposal after the Oamaru landfill closed.
Questions were raised about spending from rates $115,000 on a floating pontoon for up to four day-berths at the Oamaru harbour Holmes Wharf, $50,000 to implement the Food Act 2014, $5000 for water scheme monitoring, an alternative $20,000 for an effluent dump station at Omarama for caravans and campervans, spending on Haven St at Moeraki, $50,000 a year for a health and safety officer and $22,000 to demolish the bridge at the mouth of the Oamaru Creek.
