The Raglan ratepayers who made the trek to Ngaruawahia and made a submission on the Rates Review have achieved a small improvement in the rates system to be used for Raglan from 1st July. The stormwater rate intially proposed by the Waikato District Council to be on a capital basis will now be on a uniform basis for all of the Waikato District towns including Raglan.
But the Waikato councillors added another rate to the long list of ‘targeted’ rates already paid by Raglan residents. For the next financial year, Raglan residents will be paying another $18 a year to cover the cost of the Raglan Community Board. This includes the cost of Ngaruawahia based support staff.
The uniform charge that all properties in the Waikato District pay has been set at 25% of the total rate that WDC will decide on.
All this means that while many Raglan ratepayers will be paying increased rates, that number will be a bit less. It won’t be possible to work out the impact on your pocket until after WDC has decided on its budget for next year and how it will be funded.
Local Government Minister, Dr Smith has given a clear indication to Councils that they have to stop increasing rates by large percentages every year. he said, “I have made it plain that the 6.8 per cent per annum increase in rates across councils over the last decade is unsustainable,” he said. It will be interesting to see if the Waikato District Council takes notice of this clear warning.
The WDC Rating Review decision in full:
THAT following consultation and feedback from submissions council confirms the following changes to the current Rating System for the 2012- 2013 rating year:
- One District Wide General Rate, based on Capital Value;
- The inclusion of the Economic Development Rate, Tuakau Town Centre Upgrade Route, Hunua Rural Fire Rate and Transport Rate in the General Rate Charge;
- Levy of a Targeted Rate on a uniform basis for Ngaruawahia, Taupiri, Huntly, Raglan and Onewhero/Tuakau Community Boards;
- Levy of a Targeted Rate on a uniform basis for existing Urban Stormwater Catchments;
- The uniform charges described in Section 21(2) of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 be capped at 25% of the total rates levied.