Federated Farmers Submission for Central Otago District Council
Rates
The rating impact differs between wards and properties because of Council’s targeted rates system, and increased use of the UAGC. From the example rates increases provided, farmers are facing, at worst, rates increases of around 2 percent. This lesser increase is appropriate given the majority of Council’s additional expenditure is on the three waters, or in other areas where farmers will receive no additional level of service.
Farmers in the Manuherikia are likely to receive a rates decrease, which is some consolation given the increases they have faced since 2016 as a result of changes to the Vincent Ward targeted rates.
The overall proposed rates increase of 3.5 percent (or 2.7 percent after growth) is reasonable given the proposed additional expenditure.he majority of this increase will be felt through targeted rates, rather than through the general rate. We support Council’s increased reliance on targeted rates given the additional activities proposed in the plan are of benefit to specific and identifiable components of the ratepayer community.
Proposed Roading Expenditure
We note there is limited additional capital spending proposed for Renewal of Unsealed Metalling of local roads, despite the importance of these roads to the district economy and the safety of rural residents. We ask Council to revise the capital and operating expenditure for unsealed roads upwards, to at least keep pace with cost inflation.
For more, see the full submission