3.9% rates rise proposed

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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