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The Waitaki District Council decided yesterday to raise its rates take for 2013-14 by 3.9%.
The council is planning to raise $28.2 million in 2013-14, which means a rise slightly higher than the 3.5% increase proposed in the draft plan.
Councillors approved all but one of 23 projects, worth $391,000, put forward in the draft plan.
It declined to fund $10,000 to pay for new signs for the Oamaru Victorian Precinct, but agreed to fund 10 new projects worth about $120,000.
Most of the new projects, which included $17,500 to fund car park and access facilities for a new watersports venture at the Ferry Rd irrigation pond, would be funded through RMA sources.
However, general rates would fund a $20,000 investment in mobility improvements to Oamaru streetscapes, and provide an extra $10,600 to ensure the Hampden public toilets were cleaned seven days a week.
Mayor Alex Familton said the slight increase over initial draft proposals was because of the inclusion of ''several little items of community importance''.
''This has been achieved with a successful balance of financial prudence and projects that will benefit the community.''
He said the 3.9% rise was a ''very, very, successful'' outcome and was 8% below what had been previously forecast in the council's long-term plan.
However, both Federated Farmers and the town's biggest employers had asked for immediate remissions and a review of agricultural and rural rates, after telling the council, during the submission process that some rural properties in Papakaio were faced with a 20%-25% rates increase, which would add an extra $6000 a year to their rates bill.
Although the council did agree to conduct a review of rural rates and consider the introduction of a remissions policy in the future, it ruled out funding any rebates next year.
Cr Peter Garvan said rural rates were ''a huge issue'' and needed a ''robust policy'' surrounding them.
He said the council's decision to delay the issue was ''wishy-washy.''