Big sister to reduce rates

Waikato Regional Council has today adopted its 2016/17 Annual Plan and confirmed an average 1.3 per cent rates decrease to existing ratepayers.

The council also adopted an amendment to the 2015-2025 Long Term Plan, to take account of its decision to establish a regional fund for surf life saving, Coastguard and rescue helicopter services.

In setting the budget for the 2016/17 work programme, the council was conscious of the need to keep a tight focus on costs.

Waikato Regional Council will be collecting about $80.7 million in rates revenue in 2016/17, which equates to a reduction in rates revenue from existing ratepayers of 1.3 per cent.

However, not all ratepayers will see a decrease in their Waikato Regional Council rates bill – in fact, invoices for some could rise where property valuations have increased well above the average in the past year in some district council areas and Hamilton.

Visit waikatoregion.govt.nz/rates to understand the impact on rates for your property.

Also during today’s meeting, the council approved the accountability and reporting framework for the regional services fund. It also gave staff the green light to draft funding deeds with the surf life saving, Coastguard and rescue helicopter services.

The proposal to establish a fund to contribute to these important regional services attracted 75 per cent of submissions during consultation over March and April this year.

Visit waikatoregion.govt.nz/annualplan from next week to read the annual plan online.