Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher argued successfully to spend $150,000 a year from the 2016-17 surplus, or ''unneeded'' property depreciation, due to a potential property sale, to ''take the sting out'' of the indicative rates impact in year 2 and year 3 of the 10-year plan.
After adding the projects, the council required a 3.23% rates rise for 2018-19, from a previous 2.89% rise. The rates rise for year 2 of the plan was unchanged at 4.52%, and the rates were to rise from 3.83% to 4.28% in the third year of the plan.
The rates relief for 2019-20 and 2020-21 would change the indicative rates impact to 4.03% and 4.30% in those years respectively.
The long-term plan is scheduled for council approval on June 26. The rates will then be set following a subsequent audit.
