Federated Farmers Submission for Horowhenua District Council Annual Plan 2017-18
Key submission points:
- That Council will make a concerted effort to reduce debt levels.
- That Council will lead the discussion on expenditure by assessing and prioritising current and planned expenditure and then discussing these options with the community.
- That rates increases are reduced to be no higher than the level of inflation and Council endeavours to prioritise expenditure with the view to decrease unnecessary costs.
- That Council carefully consider the above options for minimising the impact of the rating valuation spike on rural properties.
- That example rates are continued to be provided so readers are able to see what each contribution to particular rating mechanisms and can compare rates between property types.
- That Council should only use the general rate where there is a correlation between a ratepayer’s property value and the benefit they receive from the expenditure, or the amount the ratepayer contributes towards the need for the expenditure.
- That Council implement a full capital value rating system, with a differential for farming businesses.
- That Council meet with stakeholders including Federated Farmers, during the preparation of the Long Term Plan 2018-2028, to discuss options and what this might look like in the Horowhenua District.
For more, please see the full submission document