Federated Farmers Submission to Central Otago District Council on the Draft Revenue and Financing Policy
Farmers are happy to pay their fair share to fund the costs associated with running the District. However, an over-reliance on relative property values to allocate rates results in farmers paying more than their fair share, for most Council activities. In reviewing the proposal, Federated Farmers seeks to ensure farmers pay a ‘reasonable amount’ for each activity.
Council’s current funding policy makes reasonable use of rating tools. However, the trend apparent in the proposed changes is one of ‘spreading the cost’, and Federated Farmers considers there may need to be additional tools used to ensure all ratepayers pay a ‘reasonable amount’.
For more, please see the full submission