Central Otago district ratepayers face an average rates increase for the 2022-23 year of 7.5%.
Councillors approved that increase at a full meeting of the Central Otago District Council yesterday. The ratification of the rates as the part of the council’s 2022-23 annual plan followed through with commitments made in year two of the 2021-31 long-term plan and identified changes as a result of rising costs, the impact of growth in the district and changes in legislation.
Council executive manager corporate services Leanne Macdonald said there had been no significant changes other than what had been consulted on as part of the long-term plan.
The presentation followed the final annual plan budgets 2022-23, along with the proposed 2022-23 fees and charges schedule being presented to all four community boards last month.
Factored into the annual plan 2022-23 were the proposed annual budget and funding impact statements for the 2022-23 financial year, two capital funding plans for the Ripponvale Water Upgrade Scheme and the Clyde Wastewater Reticulation Scheme, and the fees and charges for the year.
Following through with commitments made in the 2021-31 long-term plan had largely happened, but there were changes and reductions in costs in various areas.
The plan to keep rates to 7.8% or below was followed, with the average rates increase being 7.5%.
Because the council stayed within the agreed programmes of work in the long-term plan, the council was not required to consult with the wider community. Consultation was done with ratepayers of the Ripponvale Water Upgrade Scheme.
