After a number of years of relatively stable and low rate increases, the Otorohanga District Council draft LTP is requiring significant and sustained rates increases for the life of the plan. Increases are required to invest in core infrastructure and for Council’s stated goal of moving from austerity to vibrancy. Rural rates will increase by over 7% due to an over reliance on the capital value portion of the general rate to fund activities of equal benefit to everyone. The submission asked for funding policy changes to offset that disparity including full use of the UAGC to max 30% cap, increased use of targeted rates and applying a rural differential to the general rate. We also cautioned against excessive spending for consultants on concept plans.
Our full submission can be reviewed on the right.