A 3.9% increase on the Maniototo ward component of rates has
been recommended by the Maniototo Community Board.
Board members shaved $18,800 from projected budgets at an
estimates meeting in Ranfurly yesterday, reducing the
forecast ward component increase from 5.2%.
Initially, it was expected the ward component of rates would
increase by $71,413 in the 2010-11 financial year, but
following budget cuts the final figure was close to $52,000.
The main driver of increased costs was funding for
depreciation on ward buildings and assets, due to
revaluation.
Most projected budgets for the Maniototo's ward services were
on target with the Central Otago District Council's long-term
council community plan (LTCCP), enabling the board to leave
them unchanged.
CODC assets and contracts manager Murray Washington said
maintenance on water schemes for 2010-11 would be less than
first thought, cutting $15,000 from Maniototo budgets.
Money allocated to maintenance of Ranfurly's waste water
scheme was cut from $46,000 to $37,000, and on Naseby's
scheme from $32,000 to $26,000.
Board chairman Richard Smith said the fact accounts had not
changed showed staff had done a good job with the LTCCP.
"It's a sign of good budgeting.
"We are a few years into it [the LTCCP] now, and it's really
starting to show its benefits.
"It's pretty hard to crystal ball gaze . . . , and it's a
credit to the good effort made by staff and others involved
in the LTCCP," he said.
The board's recommendations for its ward budgets will go
before the council for final approval.
All projected budgets for the 2010-11 financial year will be
included within the council's draft annual plan, which is
open for public submission.
Roxburgh and Vincent community board members have yet to
deliberate on their ward budgets, and the council will make
its own recommendations on accounts for general district-wide
services.
Cromwell's community board cut $500,000 from a projected
increase on the ward component of rates at a meeting on
Monday - reducing the projected increase from 32% to 15%.
rosie.manins@odt.co.nz
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