Flooding in North Otago has forced the Waitaki District Council to postpone today's council meeting , which was to make final decisions on the rates for the next financial year, and given more time for ratepayers to pay their rates bills.
Chief executive Michael Ross said yesterday at least three council members - Waitaki Mayor Alex Familton (Palmerston), Cr Kathy Dennison (Palmerston) and Cr Struan Munro (Otematata) - were not expected to be able to get to Oamaru for the meeting.
The meeting would be held next week, on a date yet to be set.
The council also postponed the deadline for ratepayers to pay the fourth instalment of this year's rates.
The deadline for payment before penalties took effect was yesterday, but that has been extended until 4pm on Friday.
The council also closed its office in Oamaru yesterday morning to free up staff to assist Civil Defence or respond to "hundreds of flooding inquiries", communications officer Carole Hansen said.
The office would remain closed "until the weather improves", she said.
